CVE-2017-16082 in pg
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability was found within the pg module when the remote database or query specifies a specially crafted column name. There are 2 likely scenarios in which one would likely be vulnerable. 1) Executing unsafe, user-supplied sql which contains a malicious column name. 2) Connecting to an untrusted database and executing a query which returns results where any of the column names are malicious.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16082 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the node-postgres pg module, a widely used database driver for node.js applications. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of column names during database query processing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically manifests when the module encounters specially crafted column names in database responses, allowing attackers to manipulate the parsing logic and potentially gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability impacts applications that rely on the pg module for postgresql database interactions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database connections are established with external or untrusted data sources.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the pg module's inadequate sanitization of column names during result set processing. When a database query returns results containing maliciously crafted column names, the module's parsing logic fails to properly validate or escape these identifiers, leading to potential code injection scenarios. This weakness aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and CWE-94, covering improper control of generation of code. The vulnerability operates at the boundary between database query results and application processing, where column names are treated as identifiers rather than data, creating a potential attack vector through the module's internal parsing routines. Attackers can exploit this by crafting column names that contain executable code or shell commands, which then get processed by the module without proper validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16082 extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it enables full remote code execution capabilities that can compromise entire application servers and underlying infrastructure. Organizations using the affected pg module version are at risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard database interaction patterns, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user input through database queries. This threat is exacerbated by the module's widespread adoption across node.js applications, meaning that a single vulnerable application can serve as an entry point for broader network compromise. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter, indicates that successful exploitation can lead to persistent access and further malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16082 require immediate action to address the root cause through software updates and defensive programming practices. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions of the pg module where available, as the vulnerability has been resolved in subsequent releases through improved input validation and sanitization of column names. Additionally, implementing strict input validation for database queries and results can help prevent malicious column names from reaching the vulnerable parsing logic. Application developers should adopt defensive coding practices such as using parameterized queries and avoiding direct concatenation of user-supplied data into database operations. Network-level protections including database firewalls and access controls can provide additional layers of defense, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation at all levels of application processing and the critical need for regular security updates in dependency management practices.