CVE-2017-15099 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

PostgreSQL vulnerability in INSERT ... ON CONFLICT DO UPDATE commands

Understanding CVE-2017-15099

What is CVE-2017-15099?

The vulnerability in PostgreSQL versions 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, and 9.5.x before 9.5.10 allows unauthorized users to access table contents they lack permission to read.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15099

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with INSERT and UPDATE privileges but without full read access, bypassing security policies and SELECT privilege restrictions.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15099

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the INSERT ... ON CONFLICT DO UPDATE commands in affected PostgreSQL versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PostgreSQL
Vendor: Red Hat, Inc.
Versions: 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with INSERT and UPDATE privileges can exploit this vulnerability to access table contents without proper read permissions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by PostgreSQL and Red Hat, Inc.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems.
Monitor for any unauthorized access attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update PostgreSQL and related software.
Implement least privilege access controls.
Conduct security audits to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Update PostgreSQL to versions 10.1, 9.6.6, or 9.5.10 to mitigate the vulnerability.