PostgreSQL up to 18.6 pg_basebackup format string

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as problematic has been identified in PostgreSQL up to 14.24/15.19/16.15/17.11/18.6. This affects an unknown function of the component pg_basebackup. Executing a manipulation can lead to format string. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-16240. The attack requires local access. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in PostgreSQL up to 14.24/15.19/16.15/17.11/18.6 and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects an unknown code block of the component pg_basebackup. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a format string vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-134. The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality. CVE summarizes:

Use of externally-controlled format string in PostgreSQL pg_basebackup allows an attacker having already compromised a server to achieve disclosure from pg_basebackup memory, via backup manifest bytes. The vulnerability does not return the improperly-read bytes back to the attacker's server, so a successful attack would need separate implementation-specific secrets for that. Integrity impact is unlikely; in particular, the applicable formatter does not support %n. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, and 14.25 are affected.

The advisory is available at postgresql.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-16240 since 07/20/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. Local access is required to approach this attack. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available.

Upgrading to version 14.25, 15.20, 16.16, 17.12 or 18.7 eliminates this vulnerability.

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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
• 14.23
• 14.24
• 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
• 15.18
• 15.19
• 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
• 16.14
• 16.15
• 17.0
• 17.1
• 17.2
• 17.3
• 17.4
• 17.5
• 17.6
• 17.7
• 17.8
• 17.9
• 17.10
• 17.11
• 18.0
• 18.1
• 18.2
• 18.3
• 18.4
• 18.5
• 18.6

License

• open-source

Website

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

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