CVE-2014-2669 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in contrib/hstore/hstore_io.c in PostgreSQL 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 via vectors related to the (1) hstore_recv, (2) hstore_from_arrays, and (3) hstore_from_array functions in contrib/hstore/hstore_io.c; and the (4) hstoreArrayToPairs function in contrib/hstore/hstore_op.c, which triggers a buffer overflow. NOTE: this issue was SPLIT from CVE-2014-0064 because it has a different set of affected versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-2669 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the PostgreSQL database management system's hstore extension. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of PostgreSQL including 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, making it a widespread issue across several major release lines. The flaw resides in the hstore_io.c and hstore_op.c source files within the contrib/hstore module, which handles the storage and retrieval of key-value pairs in PostgreSQL. These functions process data structures that can be manipulated by authenticated remote users, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited to compromise database systems. The vulnerability specifically targets four distinct functions: hstore_recv, hstore_from_arrays, hstore_from_array, and hstoreArrayToPairs, all of which are part of PostgreSQL's hstore extension for handling associative arrays and key-value data types.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves integer overflow conditions that occur during the processing of input data within the hstore extension functions. When these functions receive malformed or specially crafted input data, they fail to properly validate integer values, leading to situations where calculated buffer sizes exceed the allocated memory boundaries. This results in buffer overflow conditions that can potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The integer overflow occurs in the context of parsing and processing hstore data types, where the extension converts between different data representations including arrays and key-value pairs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows authenticated users to leverage these functions, meaning that an attacker who can establish a connection to the database and execute queries can potentially trigger the overflow conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness that frequently leads to buffer overflows and memory corruption issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2669 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the buffer overflow conditions could potentially be leveraged for more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. Database systems that rely on hstore functionality for storing and retrieving key-value data are at risk, particularly when these systems are accessible over networks where authenticated users can submit malicious input. The vulnerability affects PostgreSQL installations that utilize the hstore extension, which is commonly used for storing complex data structures and metadata within database applications. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to database resources, modify data integrity, or disrupt database operations. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple version lines of PostgreSQL makes it particularly dangerous as it could impact a wide range of database deployments across different environments and organizations. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires authentication, which limits the attack surface compared to fully unauthenticated vulnerabilities, but still represents a significant threat to database security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2669 primarily focus on updating PostgreSQL installations to versions that contain the necessary patches and fixes. Organizations should immediately upgrade their PostgreSQL deployments to versions 9.0.16, 9.1.12, 9.2.7, or 9.3.3 respectively, as these releases contain the specific fixes for the integer overflow conditions in the hstore extension functions. Additionally, database administrators should consider implementing strict input validation and monitoring for any unusual activity involving hstore functions, particularly when these functions are used in applications that process untrusted data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could potentially leverage the buffer overflow to execute commands through database operations. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the number of authenticated users who can interact with hstore functions, reducing the potential attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for the presence of vulnerable PostgreSQL versions and proper patch management procedures should be established to ensure timely remediation of similar issues. The fix for this vulnerability typically involves proper integer overflow checking and bounds validation within the affected functions, preventing the calculation of invalid buffer sizes that could lead to memory corruption.