Postgres Advanced Server: Improper Privilege Management
CVE-2023-41119 is a high-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in Postgres Advanced Server from EnterpriseDB, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 11.21.32, 12.16.20, 13.12.17 as the first without the flaw, so updating Postgres Advanced Server to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.63% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 51% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Postgres Advanced Server to 11.21.32 or 12.16.20 or 13.12.17 or 14.9.0, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on enterprisedb.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprisedb | Postgres Advanced Server | before 11.21.32; 12.0.0 up to, but not including, 12.16.20; 13.0.0 up to, but not including, 13.12.17; 14.0.0 up to, but not including, 14.9.0; 15.0.0 up to, but not including, 15.4.0 | 11.21.32, 12.16.20, 13.12.17, 14.9.0, 15.4.0 |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA (mitre.org) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
An issue was discovered in EnterpriseDB Postgres Advanced Server (EPAS) before 11.21.32, 12.x before 12.16.20, 13.x before 13.12.16, 14.x before 14.9.0, and 15.x before 15.4.0. It contains the function _dbms_aq_move_to_exception_queue that may be used to elevate a user's privileges to superuser. This function accepts the OID of a table, and then accesses that table as the superuser by using SELECT and DML commands.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management
The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Postgres Advanced Server
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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