This vulnerability allows incomplete tracking in PostgreSQL of tables with row security to permit a reused query to view or change different rows from those intended. The CVSS score of 4.2 indicates a medium severity level, highlighting the need for organizations to address this vulnerability in their systems. Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data, especially in environments that utilize role-specific policies.
The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can lead to incorrect policies being applied when role-specific controls are in use. Attackers may leverage scenarios in which query plans are reused across different user roles, potentially leading to unauthorized database modifications and access to restricted data. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
This CVE affects versions prior to PostgreSQL 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, and 12.21, meaning that those running older versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risk.
Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations that have implemented CREATE POLICY to define a row security policy should evaluate their configurations and consider immediate remediation.
The urgency for defenders cannot be overstated, as attackers could tailor their strategies based on an application's specific query plan reuse and role security policies.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2024-10976 is classified as a row security vulnerability in PostgreSQL. The official description states that incomplete tracking allows queries to access unintended rows, leading to potential data exposure. This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 4.2, indicating a medium severity level. It impacts PostgreSQL versions prior to 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, and 12.21. The CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-1250.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incomplete tracking of row security policies within PostgreSQL. Attack vectors include any network-based interaction where queries may be reused with different user ID contexts. The attack complexity is categorized as high, requiring low privileges and no user interaction for successful exploitation. The impacts on confidentiality and integrity are both low, while availability is not affected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2024-10976 is significant, particularly for organizations that rely heavily on PostgreSQL for managing sensitive information. The vulnerability poses a potential blast radius of unauthorized data access, particularly in environments where multiple roles are involved in executing queries. Organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects PostgreSQL versions prior to 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, and 12.21. Organizations using these versions should apply patches or upgrades to secure their systems.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching PostgreSQL to versions 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, or 12.21 to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing configuration hardening and monitoring may provide further layers of security. For further guidance on security practices, organizations can refer to resources on application security assessments to ensure robust defenses against similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor log indicators for any unauthorized access attempts. Behavioral anomalies in query execution patterns may also indicate exploitation attempts. Implementing network signatures can help detect and mitigate misuse of the vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-10976 is its potential to expose databases to unauthorized access through improper role management. This vulnerability highlights the need for vigilant monitoring of role-based access controls and query execution patterns. Security teams should take this as a strategic reminder to regularly review and update their security policies. For further insights, consider reading about penetration testing methodologies and the importance of continuous security assessments.
Additionally, the implications of this vulnerability serve as a reminder to organizations about the essential nature of vulnerability management programs that are crucial in maintaining a robust security posture against evolving threats.
Lastly, organizations should consider the integration of API security best practices into their development processes to mitigate risks associated with SQL injection and similar vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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