RHSA-2010:0908 - Security Advisory

Topic

Updated postgresql packages that fix one security issue are now available
for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.

The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate
security impact. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score,
which gives a detailed severity rating, is available from the CVE link in
the References section.

Description

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system
(DBMS). PL/Perl and PL/Tcl allow users to write PostgreSQL functions in the
Perl and Tcl languages. The PostgreSQL SECURITY DEFINER parameter, which
can be used when creating a new PostgreSQL function, specifies that the
function will be executed with the privileges of the user that created it.

It was discovered that a user could utilize the features of the PL/Perl and
PL/Tcl languages to modify the behavior of a SECURITY DEFINER function
created by a different user. If the PL/Perl or PL/Tcl language was used to
implement a SECURITY DEFINER function, an authenticated database user could
use a PL/Perl or PL/Tcl script to modify the behavior of that function
during subsequent calls in the same session. This would result in the
modified or injected code also being executed with the privileges of the
user who created the SECURITY DEFINER function, possibly leading to
privilege escalation. (CVE-2010-3433)

These updated postgresql packages upgrade PostgreSQL to version 8.4.5.
Refer to the PostgreSQL Release Notes for a list of changes:

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/release.html

All PostgreSQL users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages,
which correct this issue. If the postgresql service is running, it will be
automatically restarted after installing this update.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure all previously-released errata
relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via the Red Hat Network. Details on how to
use the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at
http://kbase.redhat.com/faq/docs/DOC-11259

Affected Products

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 6 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 6 ppc64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Scientific Computing 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support (for IBM z Systems) 6 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support Extension 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support Extension 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support Extension (for IBM z Systems) 6 s390x

Fixes

• BZ - 639371 - CVE-2010-3433 PostgreSQL (PL/Perl, PL/Tcl): SECURITY DEFINER function keyword bypass

CVEs

• CVE-2010-3433

References

• http://www.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#moderate
• http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.1/interactive/sql-createfunction.html
• http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/release.html