CVE-2026-2005: PostgreSQL pgcrypto heap buffer overflow executes arbitrary code

Published Feb 12, 2026
·
Updated

Heap buffer overflow in PostgreSQL pgcrypto allows a ciphertext provider to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.2, 17.8, 16.12, 15.16, and 14.21 are affected.

Affected Software

6 affected components
PostgreSQL postgresql<18.2, <17.8, <16.12, <15.16, <14.21
PostgreSQL postgresql>=14.0<14.21
PostgreSQL postgresql>=15.0<15.16
PostgreSQL postgresql>=16.0<16.12
PostgreSQL postgresql>=17.0<17.8
PostgreSQL postgresql>=18.0<18.2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade PostgreSQL pgcrypto to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 18.2
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade PostgreSQL pgcrypto to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 17.8
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade PostgreSQL pgcrypto to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 16.12
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade PostgreSQL pgcrypto to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 15.16
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade PostgreSQL pgcrypto to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 14.21

Event History

Feb 12, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:00 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·02:01 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·02:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-2005?

CVE-2026-2005 has a critical severity due to the potential for arbitrary code execution.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-2005?

To fix CVE-2026-2005, upgrade to PostgreSQL version 18.2 or 17.8 or newer versions of 16.x, 15.x, and 14.x.

3

What versions of PostgreSQL are affected by CVE-2026-2005?

CVE-2026-2005 affects PostgreSQL versions earlier than 18.2, 17.8, 16.12, 15.16, and 14.21.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-2005?

CVE-2026-2005 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the pgcrypto module of PostgreSQL.

5

Who can be affected by CVE-2026-2005?

Database users running affected versions of PostgreSQL could be exploited by a malicious ciphertext provider to execute arbitrary code.

Contact

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