PostgreSQL up to 7.3.3 to_ascii memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in PostgreSQL up to 7.3.3. The impacted element is the function to_ascii. The manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2003-0901. No exploit is available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in PostgreSQL up to 7.3.3 (Database Software). It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function to_ascii. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Buffer overflow in to_ascii for PostgreSQL 7.2.x, and 7.3.x before 7.3.4, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

The weakness was published 11/03/2003 by Tom Lane (Website). The advisory is shared for download at distro.conectiva.com.br. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2003-0901 since 10/30/2003. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 14084 (Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : postgresql (MDKSA-2003:102)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Mandriva Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 19151 (PostgreSQL To_Ascii() Buffer Overflow Vulnerability).

Upgrading to version 7.2.x eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (13556), Tenable (14084), SecurityFocus (BID 8741†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-2869†). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 14084
Nessus Name: Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : postgresql (MDKSA-2003:102)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 53754
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 397-1 (postgresql)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: PostgreSQL 7.2.x

Timelineinfo

08/24/2003 🔍
08/24/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/30/2003 +67 days 🔍
11/03/2003 +4 days 🔍
11/03/2003 +0 days 🔍
11/03/2003 +0 days 🔍
11/17/2003 +14 days 🔍
07/31/2004 +257 days 🔍
08/15/2014 +3667 days 🔍
07/20/2025 +3992 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: postgresql.org

Advisory: distro.conectiva.com.br
Researcher: Tom Lane
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2003-0901 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0901
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20940
X-Force: 13556
SecurityFocus: 8741 - PostgreSQL To_Ascii() Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 2869 - Buffer Overflow in PostgreSQL to_ascii() Function Allows Arbitrary Code execution, High

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2014 16:02
Updated: 07/20/2025 22:54
Changes: 08/15/2014 16:02 (73), 05/16/2019 18:03 (1), 07/20/2025 22:54 (20)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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