CVE-2026-104947 in WarehousePG
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
WarehousePG (WHPG) 7.2.1 through 7.6.0 is affected by a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the built-in function gp_log_backend_memory_contexts(). Any authenticated database role can run this function without a GRANT. It also gets around the superuser restriction that PostgreSQL places on the underlying pg_log_backend_memory_contexts() function. A low-privileged user can force the segment backends of any other session, superuser sessions included, to write their memory context details to the segment server logs, which the attacker cannot read. Those details can include query text from other users' cached plans, and the call can be repeated to generate large amounts of log output. WarehousePG 6.x is not affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified in WarehousePG versions 7.2.1 through 7.6.0 represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the database management system's internal logging infrastructure. Specifically, this flaw resides in the built-in function gp_log_backend_memory_contexts(), which is designed to expose detailed memory context information for backend processes. Under normal operational parameters and adhering to standard PostgreSQL security models, such low-level diagnostic functions are restricted to superuser roles due to their potential to reveal sensitive internal states of the database engine. However, in these affected versions of WarehousePG, this function lacks proper authorization checks, allowing any authenticated user with a valid database role to invoke it without requiring explicit GRANT permissions. This misconfiguration effectively bypasses the intended privilege escalation barriers that are standard in PostgreSQL-based architectures, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to internal system resources.
From a technical perspective, the core issue is rooted in CWE-862, which classifies this as a missing authorization vulnerability. The function gp_log_backend_memory_contexts() serves as a wrapper or interface to the underlying pg_log_backend_memory_contexts() functionality. In standard PostgreSQL deployments, calls to such functions are strictly gated by superuser privileges to prevent information leakage and resource exhaustion attacks. WarehousePG fails to enforce these restrictions for non-superusers. Consequently, an attacker with low-privileged credentials can target any backend process associated with other sessions, including those belonging to administrators or superusers. By forcing these targeted backends to write their memory context details to the segment server logs, the attacker gains visibility into data that should remain isolated within the kernel-level operations of the database engine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is multifaceted, involving both information disclosure and potential denial of service conditions. The primary risk involves the exposure of sensitive query text embedded within cached execution plans stored in memory contexts. These details can reveal proprietary business logic, specific data access patterns, or even partial contents of queries executed by other users, thereby compromising confidentiality requirements. Furthermore, because the function can be invoked repeatedly without restriction, it serves as a vector for resource exhaustion attacks. An attacker can generate an excessive volume of log output, consuming disk space and I/O bandwidth on the segment servers. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074, specifically Data Staged or Local Data Dumping variants where attackers manipulate system processes to create artifacts that may be used for further exploitation or simply cause service degradation through resource consumption.
It is important to note that this vulnerability does not affect WarehousePG version 6.x, indicating that the regression was introduced in later releases during development cycles between versions 7.2.1 and 7.6.0. The inability of low-privileged users to read the generated logs mitigates some aspects of direct data exfiltration via log files, but it does not eliminate the risk associated with memory context leakage or system resource abuse. To mitigate this issue, administrators should ensure that all systems running affected versions are updated to a patched release where proper authorization checks have been re-implemented for gp_log_backend_memory_contexts(). Additionally, until patches are applied, implementing strict network-level access controls and monitoring for unusual spikes in log generation activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular auditing of database role permissions is also recommended to ensure that no unintended privileges are granted to public or low-privileged roles within the WarehousePG environment.