CVE-2026-11401 in AWS Advanced Go Wrapper
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2026
An untrusted search path issue in the GlobalDatabasePlugin in the AWS Advanced Go Wrapper for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL will allow a remote authenticated low-privilege actor to escalate privileges to those of another Amazon RDS user, including rds_superuser, via a crafted function created by the actor that runs when that user connects to the cluster through the affected wrapper.
To remediate this issue, users should upgrade to the AWS Advanced Go Wrapper release 2026-05-26
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the AWS Advanced Go Wrapper for Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL, specifically affecting the GlobalDatabasePlugin component. This issue stems from an untrusted search path configuration that allows malicious actors to manipulate the execution environment during database connections. The vulnerability operates through a carefully crafted function that leverages the wrapper's trust model to execute code with elevated privileges. The affected wrapper version creates an environment where authenticated users can manipulate the plugin loading mechanism to gain access to higher-privileged roles including rds_superuser, which controls critical database operations and configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of trust within the wrapper's architecture. When users connect to the Aurora PostgreSQL cluster through the affected wrapper, the GlobalDatabasePlugin processes the connection request and searches for required components within a path that does not properly validate the source or integrity of loaded modules. This untrusted search path allows an authenticated low-privilege user to place malicious libraries or functions in directories that are searched before legitimate system components, effectively hijacking the plugin execution flow. The flaw specifically relates to CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path, which describes how applications that search for libraries or components in untrusted locations can be exploited by attackers who control the search path.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk for organizations using the AWS Advanced Go Wrapper for Aurora PostgreSQL. The ability to escalate privileges to rds_superuser means that an attacker could gain complete control over database operations, including creating new users, modifying existing accounts, accessing sensitive data, and potentially compromising the entire database cluster. The low privilege requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who normally have minimal database access rights. This type of privilege escalation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage application flaws to gain higher privileges, and specifically demonstrates the exploitation of insecure library loading mechanisms.
The remediation strategy requires immediate upgrade to the AWS Advanced Go Wrapper release 2026-05-26, which addresses the untrusted search path implementation by implementing proper validation of component paths and ensuring that only trusted modules are loaded during plugin initialization. This update resolves the core architectural flaw that allowed path manipulation and privilege escalation. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring to detect unusual plugin loading patterns or unauthorized modifications to database connection components. The fix likely incorporates secure coding practices that enforce strict path validation and privilege separation, ensuring that database connections cannot be manipulated to load unauthorized components that could elevate user privileges. Security teams should verify that the updated wrapper properly implements access controls and that all database users maintain only the minimum privileges necessary for their operational requirements.