postgrex: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command
CVE-2026-66838 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command vulnerability in postgrex from Elixir-ecto, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 0.22.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating postgrex to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.4% 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 postgrex to 0.22.4 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elixir-ecto | postgrex | 0.19.3 up to, but not including, 0.22.4; 4971a2722fa72f8e1b54a2c403cad4c43916e36d and later | 0.22.4 |
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
- 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
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 5.9 | Medium | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.2 | High | NVD |
Official description
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in elixir-ecto postgrex allows SQL Injection via the :comment option of Postgrex.stream/4. An attacker who can influence that value can close the comment delimiter with */ and extend the streamed statement with their own clauses, which execute under the connection's role. Ecto exposes the same option through Ecto.Repo.stream/2. Postgrex appends the comment by concatenating it into the statement text sent in the Parse message, without escaping or rejecting */. The option is validated by comment_not_present!/1 at every other execution point; stream/4 never calls it. Because Parse accepts a single command, the injection is confined to the streamed statement and further statements cannot be chained. This issue affects postgrex: from 0.19.3 before 0.22.4.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command
The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.
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. For example, consider using persistence layers such as Hibernate or Enterprise Java Beans, which can provide significant protection against SQL injection if used properly.
- 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.
- 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.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command vulnerabilities (CWE-89)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in postgrex
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command vulnerabilities
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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