#VU30589 Buffer overflow in PostgreSQL - CVE-2015-3166

Vulnerability identifier: #VU30589

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2015-3166

CWE-ID: CWE-119

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
PostgreSQL
Server applications / Database software

Vendor: PostgreSQL Global Development Group

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code.

The snprintf implementation in PostgreSQL before 9.0.20, 9.1.x before 9.1.16, 9.2.x before 9.2.11, 9.3.x before 9.3.7, and 9.4.x before 9.4.2 does not properly handle system-call errors, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information or have other unspecified impact via unknown vectors, as demonstrated by an out-of-memory error.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

PostgreSQL: 9.4 - 9.4.1

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External links
https://ubuntu.com/usn/usn-2621-1
https://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3269
https://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3270
https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1587/
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.0/static/release-9-0-20.html
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/release-9-1-16.html
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.2/static/release-9-2-11.html
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.3/static/release-9-3-7.html
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.4/static/release-9-4-2.html

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.