PostgreSQL: Use After Free
CVE-2026-116319 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in PostgreSQL, 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 18.7, 17.12, 16.16 as the first without the flaw, so updating PostgreSQL to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.59% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update PostgreSQL to 18.7 or 17.12 or 16.16 or 15.20, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| PostgreSQL | PostgreSQL | 18 up to, but not including, 18.7; 17 up to, but not including, 17.12; 16 up to, but not including, 16.16; 15 up to, but not including, 15.20; before 14.25 | 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, 14.25 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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 CNA.
Official description
Use after free in PostgreSQL plperl allows an object creator to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database, via reentrant return_next() calls. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, and 14.25 are affected.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in PostgreSQL
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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