CVE-2015-0244
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in PostgreSQL allows remote attackers to perform SQL injection attacks by sending crafted binary data that triggers protocol synchronization errors. When exploited, it can cause the database to misinterpret parts of protocol messages, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation. Affected systems include PostgreSQL versions before 9.0.19, 9.1.15, 9.2.10, 9.3.6, and 9.4.1.
💻 Affected Systems
- PostgreSQL
📦 What is this software?
Postgresql by Postgresql
Postgresql by Postgresql
Postgresql by Postgresql
Postgresql by Postgresql
Postgresql by Postgresql
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote unauthenticated attacker gains full database administrator privileges, leading to complete data compromise, data manipulation, or server takeover.
Likely Case
Attacker executes arbitrary SQL commands to read, modify, or delete sensitive data from the database.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and access controls, impact is limited to authorized database users only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to PostgreSQL port (default 5432) and has been demonstrated in public proof-of-concept code.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 9.0.19, 9.1.15, 9.2.10, 9.3.6, or 9.4.1 depending on your version
Vendor Advisory: http://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1569/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your database. 2. Stop PostgreSQL service. 3. Upgrade to patched version using your package manager or source compilation. 4. Restart PostgreSQL service. 5. Verify upgrade was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Access Restriction
linuxRestrict network access to PostgreSQL port (default 5432) to only trusted IP addresses
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 5432 -s trusted_ip -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 5432 -j DROP
Connection Pooling with pgBouncer
linuxUse pgBouncer as a connection pooler to filter malicious connections
apt-get install pgbouncer
Configure pgbouncer.ini with appropriate settings
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation and firewall rules to limit PostgreSQL access to only necessary systems
- Enable comprehensive logging and monitoring for suspicious database queries and connection attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check PostgreSQL version with: SELECT version(); and compare against affected versionsCheck Version:
psql -U postgres -c 'SELECT version();'Verify Fix Applied:
After patching, run SELECT version(); and ensure version is 9.0.19, 9.1.15, 9.2.10, 9.3.6, or 9.4.1 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected protocol synchronization errors
- Multiple failed connection attempts with binary data
- Unusual SQL queries from unexpected sources
Network Indicators:
- Multiple connections to port 5432 with binary payloads
- Connection attempts followed by SQL injection patterns
SIEM Query:
source="postgresql.log" AND ("protocol synchronization" OR "unexpected message")🔗 References
- http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3155
- http://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1569/
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.4/static/release-9-4-1.html
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-0-19.html
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-1-15.html
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-2-10.html
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-3-6.html
- http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3155
- http://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1569/
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.4/static/release-9-4-1.html
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-0-19.html
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-1-15.html
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-2-10.html
- http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/release-9-3-6.html
