CVE-2025-46801
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-46801 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in Pgpool-II that allows attackers to log in as any user without valid credentials. This affects all systems running vulnerable versions of Pgpool-II, potentially exposing database access to unauthorized parties.
💻 Affected Systems
- Pgpool-II
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including data theft, tampering, and service disruption through arbitrary user authentication.
Likely Case
Unauthorized database access leading to data exfiltration or manipulation by attackers who discover the vulnerability.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if network segmentation and strict access controls prevent external access to Pgpool-II instances.
🎯 Exploit Status
Authentication bypass vulnerabilities typically have low exploitation complexity once the method is understood.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check latest Pgpool-II security releases (version not specified in provided references)
Vendor Advisory: https://www.pgpool.net/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page#News
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check current Pgpool-II version. 2. Download latest security release from pgpool.net. 3. Stop Pgpool-II service. 4. Apply patch or upgrade. 5. Restart Pgpool-II service. 6. Verify authentication works correctly.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Access Restriction
linuxRestrict network access to Pgpool-II instances to only trusted hosts/networks
# Example using iptables: iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 9999 -s trusted_network -j ACCEPT
# iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 9999 -j DROP
Authentication Layer Enhancement
allImplement additional authentication layer (like client certificate authentication) if supported
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate Pgpool-II instances behind firewalls with strict network access controls
- Implement network monitoring and intrusion detection for authentication attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Pgpool-II version and compare against security advisory; test authentication with invalid credentialsCheck Version:
pgpool --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Test authentication with invalid credentials after patch; verify they are rejected📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed authentication attempts followed by successful connections
- Multiple user login attempts from same source
- Unusual user accounts accessing database
Network Indicators:
- Authentication protocol anomalies
- Connection attempts to Pgpool-II port (default 9999) from untrusted sources
SIEM Query:
source="pgpool.log" AND ("authentication failed" OR "login successful") | stats count by src_ip, user