CVE-2005-0246 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
The intagg contrib module for PostgreSQL 8.0.0 and earlier allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via crafted arrays.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0246 affects the intagg contrib module in PostgreSQL versions 8.0.0 and earlier, representing a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to crash database servers. This flaw specifically targets the module's handling of crafted arrays, which are data structures used to aggregate integer values within PostgreSQL's extended functionality. The intagg module, designed to provide aggregate functions for integer arrays, becomes vulnerable when processing malformed input arrays that trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying memory management and data processing routines.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the intagg module's array processing functions. When PostgreSQL encounters specially crafted arrays that contain malformed data structures, the module fails to properly handle the edge cases during array aggregation operations, leading to memory corruption or stack overflow conditions. This vulnerability operates at the database engine level where the module's code does not adequately sanitize array inputs before processing them through internal aggregation algorithms. The flaw can be triggered through various means including direct SQL queries containing crafted array parameters or through applications that utilize the intagg functions in their database interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0246 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to complete database server crashes that require manual intervention and system restarts. Organizations relying on PostgreSQL 8.0.0 or earlier versions with the intagg module enabled face potential business continuity issues, especially in environments where database availability is critical. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by attackers who gain access to database connections, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or systems exposed to untrusted network traffic. System administrators may experience unexpected downtime, loss of database connectivity, and potential data integrity concerns during recovery operations, as the crash can leave the database in an inconsistent state requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to PostgreSQL versions that contain patches addressing the intagg module's array handling flaws, specifically PostgreSQL 8.0.1 and later releases. Organizations should also consider disabling the intagg contrib module if it is not actively required for their database operations, as this provides an immediate defense against exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application layer can help reduce the attack surface by sanitizing array inputs before they reach the database engine. Network-level protections such as firewall rules restricting database access and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent unauthorized exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to denial of service conditions that compromise system availability.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper module validation and the need for comprehensive security testing of database extensions. Organizations should implement regular security assessments of their database environments, including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other contrib modules. The flaw demonstrates the critical nature of maintaining up-to-date database installations and the potential risks associated with running legacy versions that may contain unpatched security issues. This vulnerability also emphasizes the need for robust database monitoring and alerting systems that can detect unusual patterns or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts, enabling rapid response to security incidents and minimizing potential business impact from such denial of service attacks.