#VU32711 Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls in PostgreSQL - CVE-2013-1901

Vulnerability identifier: #VU32711

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 1.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2013-1901

CWE-ID: CWE-264

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
PostgreSQL
Server applications / Database software

Vendor: PostgreSQL Global Development Group

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote #AU# to manipulate data.

PostgreSQL 9.2.x before 9.2.4 and 9.1.x before 9.1.9 does not properly check REPLICATION privileges, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended backup restrictions by calling the (1) pg_start_backup or (2) pg_stop_backup functions. Per http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1789-1/ "A security issue affects these releases of Ubuntu and its derivatives: Ubuntu 12.10 Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Ubuntu 11.10 Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Ubuntu 8.04 LTS"

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

PostgreSQL: 9.2.0 - 9.2.3

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External links
https://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2013/Sep/msg00002.html
https://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2013/Sep/msg00004.html
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2013-April/101519.html
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2013-April/102806.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-04/msg00007.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-04/msg00008.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-04/msg00011.html
https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2013-04/msg00012.html
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5880
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5892
https://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2658
https://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:142
https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1456/
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-1-9.html
https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-2-4.html
https://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1789-1

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote authenticated privileged user via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

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