PostgreSQL up to 18.3 Timezone timeofday format string

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in PostgreSQL up to 14.22/15.17/16.13/17.9/18.3. This vulnerability affects the function timeofday of the component Timezone Handler. Such manipulation leads to format string. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-6474. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in PostgreSQL up to 14.22/15.17/16.13/17.9/18.3. Affected by this issue is the function timeofday of the component Timezone Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a format string vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-134. The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

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.

The advisory is shared for download at postgresql.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-6474 since 04/17/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 315292 (SUSE SLES12 Security Update : postgresql18 (SUSE-SU-2026:1946-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 14.23, 15.18, 16.14, 17.10 or 18.4 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (315292) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-1544). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• SUSE openSUSE
• Open Source PostgreSQL

Productinfo

Type

• Database Software

Name

• PostgreSQL

Version

• 14.0
• 14.1
• 14.2
• 14.3
• 14.4
• 14.5
• 14.6
• 14.7
• 14.8
• 14.9
• 14.10
• 14.11
• 14.12
• 14.13
• 14.14
• 14.15
• 14.16
• 14.17
• 14.18
• 14.19
• 14.20
• 14.21
• 14.22
• 15.0
• 15.1
• 15.2
• 15.3
• 15.4
• 15.5
• 15.6
• 15.7
• 15.8
• 15.9
• 15.10
• 15.11
• 15.12
• 15.13
• 15.14
• 15.15
• 15.16
• 15.17
• 16.0
• 16.1
• 16.2
• 16.3
• 16.4
• 16.5
• 16.6
• 16.7
• 16.8
• 16.9
• 16.10
• 16.11
• 16.12
• 16.13
• 17.0
• 17.1
• 17.2
• 17.3
• 17.4
• 17.5
• 17.6
• 17.7
• 17.8
• 17.9
• 18.0
• 18.1
• 18.2
• 18.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://www.postgresql.org/

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Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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