pg_partman: Missing Authorization
CVE-2026-61821 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in pg_partman from Pgpartman, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.5 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. Affected pg_partman versions: < 5.5.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.38% 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
- Check which version of pg_partman you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pgpartman | pg_partman | < 5.5.0 | Not stated |
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
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
pg_partman is a PostgreSQL extension that manages partitioned tables by time or ID. Prior to 5.5.0, drop_partition_id() and drop_partition_time() use part_config.retention_schema as the target for ALTER TABLE SET SCHEMA and accept any nonempty schema name. A role with partman_user access can select a target schema where the role lacks the normal CREATE privilege, and the background worker performs the relocation with pg_partman_bgw.role privileges, which default to PostgreSQL superuser, bypassing the authorization check that a normal ALTER TABLE SET SCHEMA operation would enforce. This permits unauthorized relocation of retained child tables between schemas. This issue is fixed in version 5.5.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Authorization
The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Divide the product into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Reduce the attack surface by carefully mapping roles with data and functionality. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to enforce the roles at the appropriate boundaries. Note that this approach may not protect against horizontal authorization, i.e., it will not protect a user from attacking others with the same role.
- Ensure that access control checks are performed related to the business logic. These checks may be different than the access control checks that are applied to more generic resources such as files, connections, processes, memory, and database records. For example, a database may restrict access for medical records to a specific database user, but each record might only be intended to be accessible to the patient and the patient's doctor.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using authorization frameworks such as the JAAS Authorization Framework and the OWASP ESAPI Access Control feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in pg_partman
- 8.5 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
Recent Missing Authorization vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
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