CVE-2019-10164 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE
PostgreSQL versions 10.x before 10.9 and versions 11.x before 11.4 are vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow. Any authenticated user can overflow a stack-based buffer by changing the user's own password to a purpose-crafted value. This often suffices to execute arbitrary code as the PostgreSQL operating system account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10164 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in PostgreSQL database management systems affecting versions 10.x prior to 10.9 and 11.x prior to 11.4. This vulnerability resides within the password change functionality of the database system and operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The flaw manifests when an authenticated user manipulates their own password through a specially crafted input value that exceeds the allocated stack buffer space. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution within the database environment.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user input during password modification operations. When a user attempts to change their password, the system allocates a fixed-size buffer on the stack to store the new password value. However, the validation logic fails to properly check the length of the input against the buffer boundaries, allowing an attacker to provide input that exceeds the allocated space. This overflow condition can overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting the return address or other critical control data structures. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning any user with valid credentials can attempt the attack without requiring additional privileges or access rights.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-10164 extends beyond simple buffer overflow consequences, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. When an attacker successfully overflows the stack buffer, they can manipulate the program execution flow to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the PostgreSQL operating system account. This account typically possesses significant system permissions and can access database files, potentially leading to data theft, system manipulation, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects database environments where PostgreSQL is deployed as a service, making it a significant concern for enterprise systems that rely on database security for overall system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected PostgreSQL installations to versions 10.9 or 11.4 and later, which contain the necessary code modifications to prevent the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that database systems are not directly accessible from untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual authentication patterns or password change activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing regressions in system functionality. Security teams should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and address similar issues across their database infrastructure.