CVE-2026-2005 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2026
Heap buffer overflow in PostgreSQL pgcrypto allows a ciphertext provider to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.2, 17.8, 16.12, 15.16, and 14.21 are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2026
This heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists within the pgcrypto extension of PostgreSQL database systems, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the cryptographic functions implemented in the pgcrypto module. Attackers who can provide malicious ciphertext to the database can trigger memory corruption that leads to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the database service account. The affected versions span across multiple PostgreSQL release lines including 14 through 18, indicating this flaw has persisted across several major versions and represents a significant concern for database administrators maintaining legacy systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves heap-based memory corruption that occurs when processing specially crafted cryptographic data. When the pgcrypto extension processes malformed ciphertext, the input validation mechanisms fail to properly bounds-check memory allocations, leading to buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy. The exploitation requires an attacker to have the ability to inject malicious data into the database system, typically through user input or external data sources that are processed by pgcrypto functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as successful exploitation grants attackers complete control over the database server with the privileges of the operating system user running PostgreSQL. This privilege escalation allows for data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Database administrators face significant risk of data breaches, system downtime, and potential compliance violations when systems remain unpatched. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where PostgreSQL is used for sensitive data storage, financial applications, or systems handling personal information, where the consequences of unauthorized access can be devastating. The attack vector typically involves providing malicious ciphertext through database queries, stored procedures, or external data imports that are processed by pgcrypto functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected PostgreSQL versions to the latest releases. Organizations must ensure all systems are updated to PostgreSQL 18.2, 17.8, 16.12, 15.16, or 14.21 respectively, as these versions contain the necessary fixes for the heap buffer overflow. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to database systems and monitor for suspicious cryptographic operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Impairing Defenses, as exploitation involves command execution and potential defense evasion. Additional defensive measures include implementing least privilege principles for database service accounts, regular security assessments, and monitoring for anomalous database activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect unusual cryptographic function usage patterns that may indicate an active attack.