CVE-2022-1552 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2022
A flaw was found in PostgreSQL. There is an issue with incomplete efforts to operate safely when a privileged user is maintaining another user's objects. The Autovacuum, REINDEX, CREATE INDEX, REFRESH MATERIALIZED VIEW, CLUSTER, and pg_amcheck commands activated relevant protections too late or not at all during the process. This flaw allows an attacker with permission to create non-temporary objects in at least one schema to execute arbitrary SQL functions under a superuser identity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
This vulnerability in PostgreSQL represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the database's security model through incomplete protection mechanisms during routine administrative operations. The issue stems from the improper implementation of security safeguards in several key database maintenance commands including autovacuum processes, REINDEX operations, CREATE INDEX executions, REFRESH MATERIALIZED VIEW procedures, CLUSTER commands, and pg_amcheck utilities. These operations are designed to maintain database integrity and performance but contain a fundamental weakness in their privilege handling mechanisms. When a privileged user performs maintenance operations on objects owned by other users, the system fails to adequately enforce security boundaries, creating an opportunity for attackers to exploit the incomplete protection measures.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker with sufficient permissions to create non-temporary database objects within at least one schema can manipulate the execution flow of these maintenance commands. During the processing of these operations, the system's protection mechanisms are either activated too late in the execution cycle or not activated at all, allowing malicious code execution within the context of a superuser identity. This occurs because the security checks that should occur before or during the maintenance operations are either bypassed or delayed until after the attacker's malicious payload has already been executed. The vulnerability specifically targets the timing and implementation of privilege validation during database maintenance, creating a window where elevated privileges can be temporarily or permanently gained through legitimate administrative procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL functions with superuser privileges, effectively granting them complete control over the database system. This privilege escalation allows unauthorized users to bypass normal access controls and perform operations such as data extraction, modification, deletion, privilege escalation to other users, and potentially access to underlying system resources. The vulnerability affects database administrators and security teams because it can be exploited through legitimate database maintenance paths, making detection more challenging and potentially allowing attackers to remain undetected for extended periods. The flaw impacts all versions of PostgreSQL where these maintenance commands were implemented without proper security boundary enforcement.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate operational responses and long-term architectural improvements to prevent exploitation of this privilege escalation vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls limiting who can create non-temporary objects within schemas, particularly those containing sensitive data or critical system objects. Database administrators should regularly audit schema ownership and object permissions to identify potential attack vectors. The recommended immediate action involves updating to patched versions of PostgreSQL where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper timing of privilege validation checks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in maintenance command execution, particularly when these commands are issued in rapid succession or by users with elevated privileges. Additionally, implementing proper network segmentation and database access controls can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence within database environments. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SQL execution patterns and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts.