CVE-2015-0243 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in contrib/pgcrypto in PostgreSQL before 9.0.19, 9.1.x before 9.1.15, 9.2.x before 9.2.10, 9.3.x before 9.3.6, and 9.4.x before 9.4.1 allow remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0243 represents a critical security flaw within PostgreSQL's pgcrypto module, affecting multiple versions across different release branches. This issue manifests as multiple buffer overflows that occur during cryptographic operations, specifically within the contrib/pgcrypto extension that provides cryptographic functions for the PostgreSQL database system. The vulnerability affects PostgreSQL versions prior to 9.0.19, 9.1.15, 9.2.10, 9.3.6, and 9.4.1, making it a widespread concern across the PostgreSQL ecosystem. The flaw exists in the handling of cryptographic data structures and operations, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the pgcrypto module's cryptographic functions. When processing certain cryptographic inputs, the system fails to properly validate buffer sizes, leading to memory corruption scenarios that can result in program crashes or potentially unauthorized code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" conditions, and CWE-122, which covers "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" scenarios. The buffer overflow conditions occur during the processing of cryptographic operations that involve key generation, encryption, and decryption functions, particularly when handling malformed or oversized input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0243 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe threat to database security. An authenticated attacker with access to the PostgreSQL system can exploit this vulnerability to crash database processes, potentially causing extended downtime and service disruption. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, as they can leverage network connections to deliver malicious payloads. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1499.004 for "Toggle Service" in attack scenarios where database systems are targeted. The potential for arbitrary code execution through buffer overflows creates significant risk for organizations relying on PostgreSQL for critical data operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the relevant security patches released by PostgreSQL developers for each affected version branch. The patching process should prioritize the most recent stable releases that contain fixes for the buffer overflow conditions in pgcrypto. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability requires authenticated access to the database system. Monitoring for unusual database activity and implementing intrusion detection systems can aid in early identification of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected PostgreSQL versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure levels. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic libraries and implementing proper input validation mechanisms in database systems.