CVE-2026-6475
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.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.32%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
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. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected.
- CVSS 3.1
- 8.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.32% probability · 25th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-61
- Affected
- postgresql/postgresql
- Source
- f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007
References
- https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-6475/Patch, Vendor Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.