CVE-2016-5423
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Description
A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL server handled certain SQL statements containing CASE/WHEN commands. A remote, authenticated attacker could use a specially crafted SQL statement to cause PostgreSQL to crash or disclose a few bytes of server memory or possibly execute arbitrary code.
Additional information
- Bugzilla 1364001: postgresql: CASE/WHEN with inlining can cause untrusted pointer dereference
- CWE-822: Untrusted Pointer Dereference
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about CVE-2016-5423
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
| Red Hat | NVD | |
|---|---|---|
CVSS v3 Base Score | 8.5 | 8.3 |
Attack Vector | Network | Network |
Attack Complexity | High | Low |
Privileges Required | Low | Low |
User Interaction | None | None |
Scope | Changed | Unchanged |
Confidentiality Impact | High | Low |
Integrity Impact | High | High |
Availability Impact | High | High |
CVSS v3 Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H
| Red Hat | NVD | |
|---|---|---|
CVSS v2 Base Score | 6.5 | 6.5 |
Attack Vector | Network | Network |
Access Complexity | Low | Low |
Authentication | Single | Single |
Confidentiality Impact | Partial | Partial |
Integrity Impact | Partial | Partial |
Availability Impact | Partial | Partial |
CVSS v2 Vector
Red Hat: AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
NVD: AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Memory
If the untrusted pointer is used in a read operation, an attacker might be able to read sensitive portions of memory.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
If the untrusted pointer references a memory location that is not accessible to the product, or points to a location that is "malformed" or larger than expected by a read or write operation, the application may terminate unexpectedly.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Modify Memory
If the untrusted pointer is used in a function call, or points to unexpected data in a write operation, then code execution may be possible.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank the PostgreSQL project for reporting this issue. Upstream acknowledges Heikki Linnakangas as the original reporter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Red Hat's CVSS v3 score or Impact different from other vendors?
My product is listed as "Under investigation" or "Affected", when will Red Hat release a fix for this vulnerability?
What can I do if my product is listed as "Will not fix"?
What can I do if my product is listed as "Fix deferred"?
What is a mitigation?
I have a Red Hat product but it is not in the above list, is it affected?
Why is my security scanner reporting my product as vulnerable to this vulnerability even though my product version is fixed or not affected?
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