Stack buffer overflow in PostgreSQL module "refint" allows an unprivileged database user to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database. A distinct attack is possible if the application declares a user-controlled column as a "refint" cascade primary key and facilitates user-controlled updates to that column. In that case, a SQL injection allows a primary key update value provider to execute arbitrary SQL as the database user performing the primary key update. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected.

The version of FreeBSD installed on the remote host is prior to tested version. It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the 7185ecc9-4fb7-11f1-bc50-6cc21735f730 advisory.

    The PostgreSQL project reports:

              Missing authorization in PostgreSQL CREATE TYPE               allows an object creator to hijack other queries that use               search_path to find user-defined types, including               extension-defined types. That is to say, the victim will execute               arbitrary SQL functions of the attacker's choice.


              Integer wraparound in multiple PostgreSQL server               features allows an application input provider to cause the               server to undersize an allocation and write out-of-bounds. This               results in a segmentation fault.


              Externally-controlled format string in PostgreSQL timeofday()               function allows an attacker to retrieve portions of server               memory, via crafted timezone zones.


              Symlink following in               PostgreSQL pg_basebackup plain format and in pg_rewind allows an               origin superuser to overwrite local files, e.g.
              /var/lib/postgres/.bashrc, that hijack the operating system               account. It will remain the case that starting the server after               these commands implicitly trusts the origin superuser, due to               features like shared_preload_libraries. Hence, the attack has               practical implications only if one takes relevant action between               these commands and server start, like moving the files to a               different VM or snapshotting the VM.


              SQL injection in PostgreSQL               pg_createsubscriber allows an attacker with               pg_create_subscription rights to execute arbitrary SQL as a               superuser. The attack takes effect when pg_createsubscriber next               runs. Versions before PostgreSQL 17 are unaffected.


              PostgreSQL libpq lo_* functions let server superuser overwrite               client stack memory. Use of inherently dangerous function               PQfn(..., result_is_int=0, ...) in PostgreSQL libpq lo_export(),               lo_read(), lo_lseek64(), and lo_tell64() functions allows the               server superuser to overwrite a client stack buffer with an               arbitrarily-large response. Like gets(), PQfn(...,               result_is_int=0, ...) stores arbitrary-length, server-determined               data into a buffer of unspecified size. Because both the               \lo_export command in psql and pg_dump call lo_read(), the               server superuser can overwrite pg_dump or psql stack memory.


              PostgreSQL discloses MD5-hashed passwords via covert timing               channel. Covert timing channel in comparison of MD5-hashed               password in PostgreSQL authentication allows an attacker to               recover user credentials sufficient to authenticate. This does               not affect scram-sha-256 passwords, the default in all supported               releases. However, current databases may have MD5-hashed               passwords originating in upgrades from PostgreSQL 13 or earlier.


              PostgreSQL SSL/GSS init causes denial of service, via               uncontrolled recursion. Uncontrolled recursion in PostgreSQL SSL               and GSS negotiation allows an attacker able to connect to a               PostgreSQL AF_UNIX socket to achieve sustained denial of               service. If SSL and GSS are both disabled, an attacker can do               the same via access to a PostgreSQL TCP socket.


              PostgreSQL pg_restore_attribute_stats accepts values that cause               query planning to read past end of stats array. Buffer over-read               in PostgreSQL function pg_restore_attribute_stats() accepts               array values of unmatched length, which causes query planning to               read past end of one array. This allows a table maintainer to               infer memory values past that array end. Versions before               PostgreSQL 18 are unaffected.


              PostgreSQL refint allows stack buffer overflow and SQL               injection. Stack buffer overflow in PostgreSQL module refint               allows an unprivileged database user to execute arbitrary code               as the operating system user running the database. A distinct               attack is possible if the application declares a user-controlled               column as a refint cascade primary key and facilitates               user-controlled updates to that column. In that case, a SQL               injection allows a primary key update value provider to execute               arbitrary SQL as the database user performing the primary key               update.


              PostgreSQL REFRESH PUBLICATION allows SQL injection via table               name. SQL injection in PostgreSQL logical replication ALTER               SUBSCRIPTION ... REFRESH PUBLICATION allows a subscriber table               creator to execute arbitrary SQL with the subscription's               publication-side credentials. The attack takes effect at the               next REFRESH PUBLICATION. Versions before PostgreSQL 16 are               unaffected.


Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the FreeBSD security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The Linux/Unix host has one or more packages installed that are impacted by a vulnerability without a vendor supplied patch available.

  - Stack buffer overflow in PostgreSQL module refint allows an unprivileged database user to execute     arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database. A distinct attack is possible if the     application declares a user-controlled column as a refint cascade primary key and facilitates user-     controlled updates to that column. In that case, a SQL injection allows a primary key update value     provider to execute arbitrary SQL as the database user performing the primary key update. Versions before     PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected. (CVE-2026-6637)

Note that Nessus relies on the presence of the package as reported by the vendor.

The remote Debian 13 host has packages installed that are affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the dsa-6270 advisory.

    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------     Debian Security Advisory DSA-6270-1                   security@debian.org     https://www.debian.org/security/                       Moritz Muehlenhoff     May 14, 2026                          https://www.debian.org/security/faq
    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Package        : postgresql-17     CVE ID         : CVE-2026-6472 CVE-2026-6473 CVE-2026-6474 CVE-2026-6475                      CVE-2026-6476 CVE-2026-6477 CVE-2026-6478 CVE-2026-6479                      CVE-2026-6637 CVE-2026-6638

    Multiple security issues were discovered in PostgreSQL, which may result     in authorisation bypass, execution of arbitrary code, information     disclosure, privilege escalation, SQL injection or denial of service.

    For the stable distribution (trixie), these problems have been fixed in     version 17.10-0+deb13u1.

    We recommend that you upgrade your postgresql-17 packages.

    For the detailed security status of postgresql-17 please refer to     its security tracker page at:
    https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/postgresql-17

    Further information about Debian Security Advisories, how to apply     these updates to your system and frequently asked questions can be     found at: https://www.debian.org/security/

    Mailing list: debian-security-announce@lists.debian.org

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Debian security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

The remote Debian 12 host has packages installed that are affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the dsa-6269 advisory.

    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------     Debian Security Advisory DSA-6269-1                   security@debian.org     https://www.debian.org/security/                       Moritz Muehlenhoff     May 14, 2026                          https://www.debian.org/security/faq
    - -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Package        : postgresql-15     CVE ID         : CVE-2026-6472 CVE-2026-6473 CVE-2026-6474 CVE-2026-6475                      CVE-2026-6477 CVE-2026-6478 CVE-2026-6479 CVE-2026-6637

    Multiple security issues were discovered in PostgreSQL, which may result     in authorisation bypass, execution of arbitrary code, information     disclosure, privilege escalation, SQL injection or denial of service.

    For the oldstable distribution (bookworm), these problems have been fixed     in version 15.18-0+deb12u1.

    We recommend that you upgrade your postgresql-15 packages.

    For the detailed security status of postgresql-15 please refer to     its security tracker page at:
    https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/postgresql-15

    Further information about Debian Security Advisories, how to apply     these updates to your system and frequently asked questions can be     found at: https://www.debian.org/security/

    Mailing list: debian-security-announce@lists.debian.org

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Debian security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

ID	Name	Product	Family	Severity
314914	FreeBSD : PostgreSQL -- Multiple vulnerabilities (7185ecc9-4fb7-11f1-bc50-6cc21735f730)	Nessus	FreeBSD Local Security Checks	high
314721	Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2026-6637	Nessus	Misc.	high
314703	Debian dsa-6270 : libecpg-compat3 - security update	Nessus	Debian Local Security Checks	high
314702	Debian dsa-6269 : libecpg-compat3 - security update	Nessus	Debian Local Security Checks	high

Detections

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CVE-2026-6637

high

Tenable Plugins

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high

high

high