PostgreSQL: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
CVE-2026-6464 is a high-severity inclusion of functionality from untrusted control sphere vulnerability in PostgreSQL, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 18.6, 17.11, 16.15 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 0.36% 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 18.6 or 17.11 or 16.15 or 15.19, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on postgresql.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| PostgreSQL | PostgreSQL | 18 up to, but not including, 18.6; 17 up to, but not including, 17.11; 16 up to, but not including, 16.15; 15 up to, but not including, 15.19; before 14.24 | 18.6, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, 14.24 |
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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
Untrusted data inclusion in PostgreSQL psql COPY may allow a server administrator to elicit execution of data lines as psql commands, via error injection. If the "COPY FROM STDIN" or "\copy FROM STDIN" command fails before the server indicates that it awaits input rows, psql processes the in-line data rows as psql commands. "COPY FROM" with a filename is unaffected. The server administrator has no inherent control over the data rows, so a complete attack requires the attacker to separately acquire control of both the server and the data rows. Alternatively, an attacker controlling data rows alone might complete an attack through a coincidental error that they don't control. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.6, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, and 14.24 are affected.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
The product imports, requires, or includes executable functionality (such as a library) from a source that is outside of the intended control sphere.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs. For example, ID 1 could map to inbox.txt and ID 2 could map to profile.txt. Features such as the ESAPI AccessReferenceMap provide this capability.
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
More Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere vulnerabilities (CWE-829)
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 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 Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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