CVE-2017-15098 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
Invalid json_populate_recordset or jsonb_populate_recordset function calls in PostgreSQL 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10, 9.4.x before 9.4.15, and 9.3.x before 9.3.20 can crash the server or disclose a few bytes of server memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15098 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple versions of PostgreSQL database management systems. This issue specifically targets the json_populate_recordset and jsonb_populate_recordset functions which are essential components for processing JSON data within the database. The vulnerability manifests when these functions receive malformed or invalid input parameters, leading to unpredictable behavior that can compromise system stability and security. The affected versions include PostgreSQL 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10, 9.4.x before 9.4.15, and 9.3.x before 9.3.20, indicating a widespread impact across major PostgreSQL release lines. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory handling issues that can lead to both denial of service and information disclosure scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the JSON parsing functions. When invalid parameters are passed to json_populate_recordset or jsonb_populate_recordset, the underlying code fails to properly handle the malformed input, resulting in memory corruption or buffer overflows. This improper handling can cause the PostgreSQL server process to crash abruptly, leading to a denial of service condition that disrupts database operations for legitimate users. Additionally, the vulnerability allows for information disclosure where a few bytes of server memory may be inadvertently exposed to authenticated users who can craft malicious JSON input. The memory disclosure aspect particularly concerns security researchers as it could potentially reveal sensitive information such as encryption keys, database connection details, or other confidential data stored in memory. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-121, which represents stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for execution through command-line interfaces and T1566 for credential access through injection techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15098 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential data exposure risks that could compromise database security. Organizations running affected PostgreSQL versions face significant operational challenges as attackers could exploit this vulnerability to either bring down database services through crashes or extract sensitive information through memory disclosure. The vulnerability affects database applications that rely heavily on JSON data processing, making it particularly dangerous for web applications, APIs, and systems that handle JSON formatted data from external sources. In enterprise environments where PostgreSQL serves as a critical data store, this vulnerability could lead to extended downtime, data integrity concerns, and potential compliance violations. The issue also creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance activities by analyzing the leaked memory fragments, potentially revealing system configurations or application-specific information that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of PostgreSQL as soon as possible, with the most critical update being to PostgreSQL 10.1 or later versions. Database administrators should also consider implementing input validation measures and monitoring for unusual patterns in JSON data processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include restricting database user privileges, implementing network segmentation, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current database software versions and following security best practices for input validation. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any applications or services that might be utilizing the affected JSON parsing functions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues in the future. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust input validation in database systems and the potential consequences of inadequate memory handling in enterprise database software.