CVE-2015-3166 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
The snprintf implementation in PostgreSQL before 9.0.20, 9.1.x before 9.1.16, 9.2.x before 9.2.11, 9.3.x before 9.3.7, and 9.4.x before 9.4.2 does not properly handle system-call errors, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information or have other unspecified impact via unknown vectors, as demonstrated by an out-of-memory error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3166 represents a critical flaw in PostgreSQL's snprintf implementation that affects multiple version branches including 9.0 through 9.4. This issue stems from improper error handling within the system-call error management mechanisms, creating potential security exposure pathways that attackers can exploit. The vulnerability manifests when the snprintf function encounters system-call errors, particularly out-of-memory conditions, which can lead to information disclosure or other unspecified impacts that compromise system integrity. The flaw specifically impacts PostgreSQL installations running versions prior to the mentioned security patches, making them susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors who understand the underlying system-call behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the snprintf function's error handling routine where it fails to properly manage system-call failures during string formatting operations. When memory allocation fails during snprintf processing, the implementation does not adequately validate or respond to these error conditions, potentially allowing attackers to infer system information through crafted inputs or by monitoring error states. This improper error handling creates a pathway for attackers to exploit memory management issues within the database engine, particularly when dealing with large or malformed input data that triggers out-of-memory scenarios. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of buffer management, error handling, and memory allocation, creating opportunities for information leakage or system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3166 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the environment and system configuration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather sensitive information about the database system, including memory layout details, system configuration parameters, or other system-specific data that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The unspecified impact mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests that this flaw could potentially enable additional attack vectors beyond the initial information disclosure, including possible privilege escalation or denial of service conditions. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where database systems handle sensitive data or where attackers have limited access to the system but can influence database operations.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-3166 primarily involve upgrading to the patched versions of PostgreSQL that address the snprintf error handling implementation. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of PostgreSQL versions 9.0.20, 9.1.16, 9.2.11, 9.3.7, and 9.4.2 or later, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the improper error handling in the snprintf function. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns and error conditions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-248, which covers "Uncaught Exception" in software implementations, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation controls and limiting database user privileges to minimize the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular patch management processes to address similar vulnerabilities in the future.