CVE-2007-6600 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
PostgreSQL 8.2 before 8.2.6, 8.1 before 8.1.11, 8.0 before 8.0.15, 7.4 before 7.4.19, and 7.3 before 7.3.21 uses superuser privileges instead of table owner privileges for (1) VACUUM and (2) ANALYZE operations within index functions, and supports (3) SET ROLE and (4) SET SESSION AUTHORIZATION within index functions, which allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2019
PostgreSQL versions prior to specific patches contain a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the database's security model through improper privilege handling within index functions. This vulnerability affects multiple major versions including 8.2 before 8.2.6, 8.1 before 8.1.11, 8.0 before 8.0.15, 7.4 before 7.4.19, and 7.3 before 7.3.21, creating a widespread security concern across the PostgreSQL ecosystem. The flaw manifests when executing VACUUM and ANALYZE operations within index functions, where the system incorrectly utilizes superuser privileges instead of the appropriate table owner privileges, effectively bypassing the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to database security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper privilege checking mechanism within PostgreSQL's index function execution environment. When users execute VACUUM or ANALYZE operations within index functions, the database engine fails to validate whether the executing user possesses the necessary table owner privileges, instead defaulting to superuser-level permissions. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for authenticated users to escalate their privileges without proper authorization, as the system grants elevated capabilities based on the function context rather than the actual user permissions. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to support for SET ROLE and SET SESSION AUTHORIZATION commands within index functions, which further compounds the security risk by allowing users to modify their effective privileges during function execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, particularly in multi-tenant database environments where multiple users share the same database instance. Remote authenticated users can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to data and system resources that should be restricted to superuser accounts. This privilege escalation capability enables attackers to bypass database security controls, potentially leading to data exfiltration, unauthorized modifications, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the database's internal processing mechanisms, making detection and prevention challenging. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform actions such as accessing restricted tables, modifying database configurations, or executing arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, all while maintaining the appearance of legitimate database operations.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence. Organizations running affected PostgreSQL versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, particularly in environments where database users have elevated privileges or where the database serves as a central data repository. Mitigation strategies include immediate patching to the affected versions, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring database activities for unauthorized privilege changes. System administrators should also consider implementing database audit logging to detect suspicious VACUUM and ANALYZE operations within index functions, as well as establishing network-level controls to limit remote access to database systems. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper privilege management in database systems and highlights the necessity of regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to maintain robust database security postures.