CVE-2026-6474 in PostgreSQL
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2026
Externally-controlled format string in PostgreSQL timeofday() function allows an attacker to retrieve portions of server memory, via crafted timezone zones. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2026
The vulnerability in question represents a critical format string vulnerability within the PostgreSQL timeofday() function that arises from improper handling of externally controlled input. This flaw exists in timezone zone parameters where user-supplied data is directly processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The vulnerability stems from the function's failure to properly escape or filter input values, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the format string parsing mechanism. When an attacker provides a crafted timezone zone string, the system processes this input through a vulnerable code path that treats it as a format specifier rather than a literal string value. This creates a situation where the format string interpreter accesses memory locations containing sensitive data such as database credentials, session tokens, or internal system information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for information disclosure through memory reads that are not properly bounded or controlled.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses classified under CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format strings are constructed from external input. This weakness enables attackers to exploit the printf-family functions and similar formatting routines to read arbitrary memory locations. The PostgreSQL implementation appears to use a format string processing mechanism that does not properly validate or sanitize timezone zone parameters before using them in internal formatting operations. The vulnerability affects multiple major versions including PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23, indicating a widespread issue across the database platform's version lineage. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through database connections that utilize timeofday() function calls with maliciously crafted timezone parameters, potentially extracting sensitive information from the database server's memory space.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to database security and data confidentiality. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to portions of the server's memory that may contain sensitive information such as authentication credentials, database connection strings, or other confidential data structures. The information disclosure occurs through the format string parsing mechanism where the attacker's crafted input causes the system to interpret memory contents as format specifiers, thereby exposing potentially sensitive data to the attacker. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely through database connections, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible database systems. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the leaked memory contents could provide attackers with additional attack vectors or facilitate further exploitation of the database system.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves applying the official security patches released by PostgreSQL for the affected versions, which typically include proper input validation and sanitization of timezone zone parameters. Organizations should prioritize patching their PostgreSQL installations to versions 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 or later to eliminate this vulnerability. Additionally, database administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of database systems to untrusted networks. Monitoring for suspicious database activity and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from the system. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in database applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all external input handling mechanisms within database systems.