CVE-2024-27289
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in the pgx PostgreSQL driver for Go allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands when specific conditions are met. It affects applications using pgx with the non-default simple protocol and specific placeholder patterns. The vulnerability requires user-controlled input in specific parameter positions.
💻 Affected Systems
- jackc/pgx
📦 What is this software?
Pgx by Pgx Project
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full database compromise including data theft, modification, deletion, or potential remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration, privilege escalation within the database, or data manipulation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to proper input validation, parameterized queries, or network segmentation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires specific SQL query structure and user-controlled parameters. Public technical analysis available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.18.2
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/jackc/pgx/security/advisories/GHSA-m7wr-2xf7-cm9p
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update pgx dependency to v4.18.2 or later. 2. Update go.mod: replace github.com/jackc/pgx/v4 v4.x.x => v4.18.2. 3. Run 'go mod tidy'. 4. Rebuild and redeploy application. 5. Restart services.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Simple Protocol
allUse default extended protocol instead of simple protocol
Set simpleProtocol: false in pgx connection configuration
Avoid Minus Before Placeholder
allEnsure minus signs are not placed directly before numeric placeholders
Review and modify SQL queries to avoid pattern: -$1 $2
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-controlled parameters
- Use network segmentation to isolate database servers and limit attack surface
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check go.mod or go.sum for pgx version <4.18.2 and review code for simple protocol usage with vulnerable placeholder patterns.Check Version:
grep 'jackc/pgx/v4' go.modVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm pgx version is 4.18.2+ in go.mod and verify application functions correctly after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL query patterns with minus signs before placeholders
- Database error logs showing SQL syntax errors from manipulated queries
Network Indicators:
- Unusual database query patterns from application servers
- Increased database error rates
SIEM Query:
source="database_logs" AND ("syntax error" OR "unexpected token" OR "-$")🔗 References
- https://github.com/jackc/pgx/commit/f94eb0e2f96782042c96801b5ac448f44f0a81df
- https://github.com/jackc/pgx/security/advisories/GHSA-m7wr-2xf7-cm9p
- https://github.com/jackc/pgx/commit/f94eb0e2f96782042c96801b5ac448f44f0a81df
- https://github.com/jackc/pgx/security/advisories/GHSA-m7wr-2xf7-cm9p
- https://www.sonarsource.com/blog/double-dash-double-trouble-a-subtle-sql-injection-flaw/
