CVE-2018-10925 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2018-10925, a PostgreSQL vulnerability allowing unauthorized data access. Find out the impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in PostgreSQL versions earlier than 10.5, 9.6.10, 9.5.14, 9.4.19, and 9.3.24 could allow an attacker to access arbitrary data from the server's memory.
Understanding CVE-2018-10925
PostgreSQL versions prior to 10.5, 9.6.10, 9.5.14, 9.4.19, and 9.3.24 have a security flaw related to authorization checks on specific statements, potentially leading to unauthorized data access.
What is CVE-2018-10925?
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in PostgreSQL versions before 10.5, 9.6.10, 9.5.14, 9.4.19, and 9.3.24, where incorrect authorization checks on certain statements could be exploited by attackers to access and retrieve arbitrary data from the server's memory.
The Impact of CVE-2018-10925
- Confidentiality Impact: High
- Integrity Impact: Low
- Privileges Required: Low
- Base Score: 7.1 (High)
- Attack Vector: Network
- Attack Complexity: Low
- User Interaction: None
- Scope: Unchanged
- Availability Impact: None
Technical Details of CVE-2018-10925
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from the incorrect authorization check on specific statements related to "INSERT ... ON CONFLICT DO UPDATE" in PostgreSQL versions earlier than 10.5, 9.6.10, 9.5.14, 9.4.19, and 9.3.24.
Affected Systems and Versions
PostgreSQL versions affected: 10.5, 9.6.10, 9.5.14, 9.4.19, and 9.3.24
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers with "CREATE TABLE" privileges could potentially access arbitrary data from the server's memory.
- Attackers with specific "INSERT" and limited "UPDATE" privileges on a table could modify other columns within the same table.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update PostgreSQL to versions 10.5, 9.6.10, 9.5.14, 9.4.19, or 9.3.24.
- Monitor for any unauthorized access or data retrieval.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly review and update database access controls.
- Conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by PostgreSQL Global Development Group to fix the vulnerability.