CVE-2014-0064 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the path_in and other unspecified functions 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 allow remote authenticated users to have unspecified impact and attack vectors, which trigger a buffer overflow. NOTE: this identifier has been SPLIT due to different affected versions; use CVE-2014-2669 for the hstore vector.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-0064 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple versions of the PostgreSQL database management system. This issue stems from integer overflow conditions occurring within path_in and other unspecified functions within the database engine. The vulnerability affects PostgreSQL versions prior to specific patch releases including 8.4.20, 9.0.16, 9.1.12, 9.2.7, and 9.3.3, creating a widespread impact across several major release branches. The integer overflow conditions occur during the processing of path data structures, which can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves integer overflows that can be triggered through carefully crafted input data submitted to PostgreSQL functions. These overflows occur when the system processes path data structures containing maliciously constructed values that exceed the maximum representable integer values. When such overflows occur, they can cause buffer overflows within the database engine's memory management systems, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid database credentials, but the impact can still be severe given the privileged access level. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that multiple exploitation pathways may exist, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to database security and system integrity. Attackers who can authenticate to the PostgreSQL system can leverage this flaw to potentially execute arbitrary code on the database server, leading to complete system compromise. The buffer overflow conditions can result in application crashes, data corruption, or more severe consequences including privilege escalation. Organizations running affected PostgreSQL versions face substantial risk of data breaches and system availability issues. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple database compromise as it can potentially allow attackers to move laterally within network environments where database systems are deployed. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PostgreSQL serves as a critical backend component for numerous applications.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2014-0064 involves immediate patching of affected PostgreSQL installations to the recommended versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should prioritize updating all PostgreSQL instances to versions 8.4.20, 9.0.16, 9.1.12, 9.2.7, or 9.3.3 respectively, depending on their current version. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Monitoring database logs for unusual activity patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected PostgreSQL versions within their infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which covers integer overflow and wraparound conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through database systems. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from affecting the organization's database infrastructure in the future.