CVE-2005-1410 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
The tsearch2 module in PostgreSQL 7.4 through 8.0.x declares the (1) dex_init, (2) snb_en_init, (3) snb_ru_init, (4) spell_init, and (5) syn_init functions as "internal" even when they do not take an internal argument, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly have other impacts via SQL commands that call other functions that accept internal arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1410 resides within the tsearch2 module of PostgreSQL database systems version 7.4 through 8.0.x, representing a critical security flaw that exploits improper function declaration within the database's text search functionality. This issue specifically affects the module's internal function declarations where several initialization functions including dex_init, snb_en_init, snb_ru_init, spell_init, and syn_init are incorrectly marked as "internal" despite not actually accepting internal arguments. The improper declaration creates a significant security gap that enables malicious actors to manipulate the database's text search capabilities through carefully crafted SQL commands.
The technical flaw stems from a fundamental misclassification in the PostgreSQL module's function signature definitions where the internal attribute is applied to functions that do not conform to the internal argument requirements. This misdeclaration allows attackers to invoke these functions through SQL commands that would normally be restricted or properly validated, creating a pathway for exploitation. When these improperly declared functions are called with specific arguments, they can trigger application-level crashes or unexpected behavior within the database system, leading to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the improper handling of function calls could potentially allow for more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution context and available privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for PostgreSQL installations running affected versions, as it provides attackers with a reliable method to cause database application crashes and service interruptions. The denial of service aspect means that legitimate database operations could be disrupted, potentially affecting business-critical applications that depend on PostgreSQL for data management. The potential for additional impacts suggests that this vulnerability might serve as a foundation for more advanced exploitation techniques, particularly if attackers can leverage the improper function handling to gain unauthorized access to database resources or manipulate query execution paths. Organizations utilizing PostgreSQL in production environments would face significant operational risks including data availability issues, service degradation, and potential business disruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected PostgreSQL installations to version 8.0.1 or later where the function declarations have been corrected. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unusual SQL command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited scope, and could potentially map to ATT&CK techniques involving denial of service and privilege escalation through software exploitation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their PostgreSQL deployments to identify and remediate similar function declaration issues that might exist in other database modules or extensions. Regular security updates and proper vulnerability management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in database systems.