psqlODBC: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-120061 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in psqlODBC from PostgreSQL, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 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 version 18.00.0006 as the first without the flaw, so updating psqlODBC to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.34% 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 psqlODBC to 18.00.0006 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| PostgreSQL | psqlODBC | before 18.00.0006 | 18.00.0006 |
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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- 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:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
The psqlODBC parser for ODBC escape sequences in application SQL text writes the argument offsets of a {fn} escape into a fixed 16-entry stack array without a bound and does not initialize the array. An escape with too many arguments overflows the stack, and a reference to an unsupplied argument copies arbitrary bytes into the query. The copy of a {d}, {t}, {ts}, or {escape} body also writes one byte past a 128-byte stack buffer. An application that forwards untrusted SQL text to the driver exposes its process to memory corruption. Versions before psqlODBC 18.00.0006 are affected.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Implement and perform bounds checking on input.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
References
Other vulnerabilities in psqlODBC
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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