CVE-2020-14350: Input Validation

Published Aug 4, 2020
·
Updated

A flaw was found in PostgreSQL, where some PostgreSQL extensions did not use the searchpath safely in their installation script. This flaw allows an attacker with sufficient privileges to trick an administrator into executing a specially crafted script during the extension's installation or update. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confidentiality, integrity, as well as system availability.

Other sources

It was found that some PostgreSQL extensions did not use searchpath safely in their installation script. An attacker with sufficient privileges could use this flaw to trick an administrator into executing a specially crafted script, during the installation or update of such extension. This affects PostgreSQL versions before 12.4, before 11.9, before 10.14, before 9.6.19, and before 9.5.23.

When a superuser issues certain CREATE EXTENSION statements, users may be able to execute arbitrary SQL functions under the identity of that superuser. The attacker must have permission to create objects in the new extension's schema or a schema of a prerequisite extension. Not all extensions are vulnerable. In addition to correcting the extensions provided with PostgreSQL, the project is issuing guidance for third-party extension authors to secure their own work.

Red Hat

Affected Software

23 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/rh-postgresql96-postgresql<0:9.6.19-1.el7
0:9.6.19-1.el7
redhat/rh-postgresql10-postgresql<0:10.14-1.el7
0:10.14-1.el7
redhat/rh-postgresql12-postgresql<0:12.4-1.el7
0:12.4-1.el7
redhat/rhvm-appliance<0:4.4-20210310.0.el8e
0:4.4-20210310.0.el8e
redhat/postgresql<12.4
12.4
redhat/postgresql<11.9
11.9
redhat/postgresql<10.14
10.14
redhat/postgresql<9.6.19
9.6.19
redhat/postgresql and<9.5.23
9.5.23
debian/postgresql-11
debian/postgresql-12
debian/postgresql-9.6
PostgreSQL postgresql>=9.5<9.5.23
PostgreSQL postgresql>=9.6<9.6.19
PostgreSQL postgresql>=10.0<10.14
PostgreSQL postgresql>=11.0<11.9
PostgreSQL postgresql>=12.0<12.4
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
openSUSE Leap=15.1
openSUSE Leap=15.2
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=16.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=18.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=20.04

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/rh-postgresql96-postgresql to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:9.6.19-1.el7
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/rh-postgresql10-postgresql to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:10.14-1.el7
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/rh-postgresql12-postgresql to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:12.4-1.el7
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/rhvm-appliance to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:4.4-20210310.0.el8e
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/postgresql to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 12.4
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/postgresql to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 11.9
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/postgresql to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.14
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/postgresql to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.6.19
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/postgresql and to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.5.23
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 12.4
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 11.9
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 10.14
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.6.19
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.5.23
  15. Compensating control

    Limit who can install or update PostgreSQL extensions (restrict privileges so attackers cannot trick an administrator during CREATE EXTENSION).

Event History

Aug 4, 2020
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·03:51 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Aug 13, 2020
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Aug 24, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:42 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:42 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·11:40 PM
Description
Feb 24, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·07:30 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2020-14350?

CVE-2020-14350 is a vulnerability found in PostgreSQL that allows an attacker to execute a specially crafted script during the installation or update of certain PostgreSQL extensions.

2

How severe is CVE-2020-14350?

CVE-2020-14350 has a severity rating of 7.1 (high).

3

Which versions of PostgreSQL are affected by CVE-2020-14350?

PostgreSQL versions 12.4, 11.9, 10.14, 9.6.19, and 9.5.23 are affected by CVE-2020-14350.

4

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2020-14350?

An attacker with sufficient privileges can trick an administrator into executing a specially crafted script during the extension's installation or update.

5

Are there any references available for CVE-2020-14350?

Yes, you can find more information about CVE-2020-14350 in the following references: [link 1](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi/show_bug.cgi?id=1868670), [link 2](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi/show_bug.cgi?id=1868666), [link 3](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi/show_bug.cgi?id=1868668).

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