CVE-2026-92872 in Pgpool-II
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
Pgpool-II inserts sensitive information into log file, which may allow an authenticated attacker to obtain the cluster information.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The vulnerability in Pgpool-II involves the improper handling of sensitive data within its logging mechanism, specifically classified under CWE-532 as Information Exposure Through Log Files. This flaw arises when the application writes internal state details or connection metadata to log files without sufficient sanitization or access controls. While Pgpool-II serves as a critical middleware for PostgreSQL database clustering and load balancing, the inclusion of sensitive information in these logs creates an unintended attack vector that can compromise the security posture of the entire infrastructure if not properly managed.
From a technical perspective, the core issue lies in the verbosity level and content selection during log generation. When specific operations are performed or errors occur, Pgpool-II may record details such as client IP addresses, authentication tokens, session identifiers, or internal cluster topology data into accessible log files. For an attacker who has already gained authenticated access to the system, these logs serve as a valuable intelligence source. The attacker can parse these files to extract configuration specifics that are not otherwise exposed through standard API endpoints or network interfaces, effectively bypassing perimeter defenses by leveraging local file read privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Pgpool-II for high availability and performance optimization. An authenticated attacker with access to the log directory can reconstruct the database cluster architecture, identifying primary nodes, standby replicas, and load balancing strategies. This information facilitates more targeted attacks against specific database instances or allows the attacker to craft malicious queries that exploit known weaknesses in particular node configurations. Furthermore, exposure of session tokens or authentication credentials within logs could lead to account takeover scenarios if those log files are accessible via web servers or other services running on the same host with weaker security controls.
This behavior aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers File and Directory Discovery, as well as T1562, specifically Impair Defenses through Log Reduction or Bypassing Logging mechanisms if attackers attempt to cover their tracks using similar log manipulation techniques. Although this specific flaw is about exposure rather than evasion, it highlights the risk of relying on logs for security auditing without ensuring they are isolated from potential attacker access paths. The vulnerability underscores the importance of separating sensitive operational data from general logging outputs and enforcing strict file system permissions around log directories to prevent unauthorized reads even by authenticated users who should not have administrative privileges over the application's runtime environment.
To mitigate this risk, administrators must implement rigorous access controls on Pgpool-II log files, ensuring that only privileged service accounts can read or write them. It is advisable to configure logging levels to minimize verbose output in production environments and to avoid including sensitive fields such as passwords, tokens, or detailed connection strings in standard logs. Additionally, organizations should adopt a defense-in-depth strategy by isolating Pgpool-II instances from web-facing services that might inadvertently expose log files through misconfigured directory listings or static file serving configurations. Regular audits of logging practices against industry standards like NIST SP 800-92 for log management can help identify and remediate such information leakage vulnerabilities before they are exploited in the wild.