PostgreSQL 7.2/7.2.1/7.2.2 Transaction Log Data VACUUM denial of service

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in PostgreSQL 7.2/7.2.1/7.2.2 and classified as problematic. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Transaction Log Data Handler. This manipulation of the argument VACUUM causes denial of service. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2002-1642. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in PostgreSQL 7.2/7.2.1/7.2.2 (Database Software) and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown part of the component Transaction Log Data Handler. The manipulation of the argument VACUUM with an unknown input leads to a denial of service vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-404. The product does not release or incorrectly releases a resource before it is made available for re-use. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

PostgreSQL 7.2.1 and 7.2.2 allows local users to delete transaction log (pg_clog) data and cause a denial of service (data loss) via the VACUUM command.

The bug was discovered 01/10/2002. The weakness was published 10/03/2002 as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). The advisory is shared at kb.cert.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2002-1642 since 03/28/2005. The exploitation appears to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 266 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 24470 , which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 19153 (PostgreSQL VACUUM Command Data Loss Vulnerability).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (11102), Tenable (24470), SecurityFocus (BID 7657†), OSVDB (16985†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-10136†). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.4

VulDB Base Score: 8.4
VulDB Temp Score: 8.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
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NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Denial of service
CWE: CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 24470
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

01/10/2002 🔍
01/10/2002 +0 days 🔍
10/03/2002 +266 days 🔍
10/03/2002 +0 days 🔍
10/03/2002 +0 days 🔍
03/28/2005 +907 days 🔍
01/10/2006 +288 days 🔍
07/23/2014 +3116 days 🔍
09/03/2025 +4060 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: postgresql.org

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2002-1642 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2002-1642
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-18805
CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 11102
SecurityFocus: 7657 - PostgreSQL VACUUM Command Data Loss Vulnerability
OSVDB: 16985 - PostgreSQL - VACUUM Command - Data Loss Issue
Vulnerability Center: 10136 - PostgreSQL Local DoS and Log Data Delete via VACUUM Command, Medium

Entryinfo

Created: 07/23/2014 11:24
Updated: 09/03/2025 10:28
Changes: 07/23/2014 11:24 (61), 06/13/2019 12:12 (3), 06/28/2021 06:46 (4), 11/18/2024 07:43 (15), 09/03/2025 10:28 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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