Detections
Analytics

PostgreSQL 16.x < 16.15 / 17.x < 17.11 / 18.x < 18.6 SCRAM Observable Response Discrepancy

medium Nessus Plugin ID 342122

Synopsis

The remote database server is affected by an information disclosure vulnerability.

Description

The version of PostgreSQL installed on the remote host is 16 prior to 16.15, 17 prior to 17.11, or 18 prior to 18.6. As such, it is potentially affected by an information disclosure vulnerability:

 - Observable response discrepancy in PostgreSQL SCRAM authentication allows an unauthenticated user to test the existence of a user via observing the SCRAM iteration count. This requires the probed user to have a non-default scram_iterations count, because the authentication challenge for a nonexistent user reports the default scram_iterations. Within major versions 16-18, minor versions before PostgreSQL 18.6, 17.11, and 16.15 are affected. Versions before PostgreSQL 16 are unaffected. (CVE-2026-14672)

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

Solution

Upgrade to PostgreSQL 16.15 / 17.11 / 18.6 or later.

See Also

https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-14672

Plugin Details

Severity: Medium

ID: 342122

File Name: postgresql_20260813_2.nasl

Version: 1.1

Type: Combined

Agent: windows, macosx, unix

Family: Databases

Published: 9/1/2026

Updated: 9/1/2026

Configuration: Enable thorough checks (optional)

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Low

Score: 1.2

Percentile: 0.01

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 5

Temporal Score: 3.7

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2026-14672

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 5.3

Temporal Score: 4.6

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2026-14672

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:postgresql:postgresql

Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 8/13/2026

Vulnerability Publication Date: 8/13/2026

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2026-14672

IAVB: 2026-B-0238