CVE-2014-0062 in Communications WebRTC Session Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the (1) CREATE INDEX and (2) unspecified ALTER TABLE commands in PostgreSQL before 8.4.20, 9.0.x before 9.0.16, 9.1.x before 9.1.12, 9.2.x before 9.2.7, and 9.3.x before 9.3.3 allows remote authenticated users to create an unauthorized index or read portions of unauthorized tables by creating or deleting a table with the same name during the timing window.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-0062 represents a critical race condition affecting PostgreSQL database management systems across multiple version branches. This flaw exists in the database engine's handling of concurrent operations during index creation and table alteration processes, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit timing dependencies in the system's internal state management. The vulnerability specifically impacts PostgreSQL versions prior to the mentioned patches, where the database engine fails to properly synchronize access to table metadata during these critical operations, leading to potential unauthorized data access and privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this race condition occurs when an authenticated user performs CREATE INDEX or ALTER TABLE operations against a database table while another concurrent process simultaneously creates or deletes a table with the same name. During this timing window, the database engine's internal state management becomes inconsistent, allowing an attacker to manipulate the system's perception of table existence and access permissions. The flaw stems from inadequate locking mechanisms and insufficient validation of table state during the execution of these commands, particularly in how PostgreSQL handles the relationship between table metadata and index structures. This vulnerability operates under CWE-362 which specifically addresses race conditions in concurrent programming environments where multiple threads or processes access shared resources without proper synchronization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromising entire database systems. An attacker exploiting this race condition can create unauthorized indexes on tables they should not have access to, effectively bypassing access controls and potentially exposing sensitive data through the index structure itself. Additionally, the ability to read portions of unauthorized tables through this mechanism represents a significant data leakage risk that could expose confidential information. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers can manipulate the database state to gain elevated access rights. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, this vulnerability allows for unauthorized access and reconnaissance activities that could be leveraged for further attacks within the database environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0062 require immediate patching of affected PostgreSQL installations to the recommended versions that contain the necessary synchronization fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the number of authenticated users who can perform administrative operations on database systems. Database administrators should regularly audit and monitor table creation and modification activities to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of proper access controls and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns in index creation and table alteration operations, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.