postgresql: Start scripts permit database administrator to modify root-owned files
Published Nov 22, 2017
6.7
MEDIUMCVSS 3.0
EPSS 0.59%
Description
PostgreSQL 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10, 9.4.x before 9.4.15, 9.3.x before 9.3.20, and 9.2.x before 9.2.24 runs under a non-root operating system account, and database superusers have effective ability to run arbitrary code under that system account. PostgreSQL provides a script for starting the database server during system boot. Packages of PostgreSQL for many operating systems provide their own, packager-authored startup implementations. Several implementations use a log file name that the database superuser can replace with a symbolic link. As root, they open(), chmod() and/or chown() this log file name. This often suffices for the database superuser to escalate to root privileges when root starts the server.
Affected products
-
- Version 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10, 9.4.x before 9.4.15, 9.3.x before 9.3.20, 9.2.x before 9.2.24StatusaffectedConstraints-
- Version
Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).
| Vendor | Product | Default status | Versions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat, Inc. | PostgreSQL | n/a |
|
- 9.2
- 9.2.1
- 9.2.2
- 9.2.3
- 9.2.4
- 9.2.5
- 9.2.6
- 9.2.7
- 9.2.8
- 9.2.9
- 9.2.10
- 9.2.11
- 9.2.12
- 9.2.13
- 9.2.14
- 9.2.15
- 9.2.16
- 9.2.17
- 9.2.18
- 9.2.19
- 9.2.20
- 9.2.21
- 9.2.22
- 9.2.23
- 9.3
- 9.3.1
- 9.3.2
- 9.3.3
- 9.3.4
- 9.3.5
- 9.3.6
- 9.3.7
- 9.3.8
- 9.3.9
- 9.3.10
- 9.3.11
- 9.3.12
- 9.3.13
- 9.3.14
- 9.3.15
- 9.3.16
- 9.3.17
- 9.3.18
- 9.3.19
- 9.4
- 9.4.1
- 9.4.2
- 9.4.3
- 9.4.4
- 9.4.5
- 9.4.6
- 9.4.7
- 9.4.8
- 9.4.9
- 9.4.10
- 9.4.11
- 9.4.12
- 9.4.13
- 9.4.14
- 9.5
- 9.5.1
- 9.5.2
- 9.5.3
- 9.5.4
- 9.5.5
- 9.5.6
- 9.5.7
- 9.5.8
- 9.5.9
- 9.6
- 9.6.1
- 9.6.2
- 9.6.3
- 9.6.4
- 9.6.5
- 10
No data.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
postgresql-0:9.2.23-3.el7_4
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3402
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el6
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3403
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el6
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3404
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el6
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3405
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 EUS
rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el6
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3403
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 EUS
rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el6
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3404
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 EUS
rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el6
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3405
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3403
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3404
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3405
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3 EUS
rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3403
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3 EUS
rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3404
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3 EUS
rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3405
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS
rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3403
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS
rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3404
Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS
rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3405
Red Hat Virtualization Engine 4.2
rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3404
Red Hat Virtualization Engine 4.3
rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7
Fixed · RHSA-2017:3404
CloudForms Management Engine 5
postgresql94
Affected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
postgresql
Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
postgresql84
Will not fix
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
postgresql
Will not fix
Red Hat Satellite 5
rh-postgresql95-postgresql
Affected
| Product | Package | State | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | postgresql-0:9.2.23-3.el7_4 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3402 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el6 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3403 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el6 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3404 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el6 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3405 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 EUS | rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el6 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3403 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 EUS | rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el6 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3404 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 EUS | rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el6 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3405 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3403 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3404 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3405 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3 EUS | rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3403 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3 EUS | rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3404 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3 EUS | rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3405 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS | rh-postgresql94-postgresql-0:9.4.14-2.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3403 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS | rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3404 |
| Red Hat Software Collections for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 EUS | rh-postgresql96-postgresql-0:9.6.5-2.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3405 |
| Red Hat Virtualization Engine 4.2 | rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3404 |
| Red Hat Virtualization Engine 4.3 | rh-postgresql95-postgresql-0:9.5.9-4.el7 | Fixed | RHSA-2017:3404 |
| CloudForms Management Engine 5 | postgresql94 | Affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | postgresql | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | postgresql84 | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | postgresql | Will not fix | n/a |
| Red Hat Satellite 5 | rh-postgresql95-postgresql | Affected | n/a |
No package ranges for this CVE.
Remediation
Red Hat statement
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 and Satellite 5 are now in Production 3 Phase of the support and maintenance life cycle. This has been rated as having Moderate security impact and is not currently planned to be addressed in future updates. For additional information, refer to the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Life Cycle: https://access.redhat.com/support/policy/updates/errata/.
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0 score for this CVE.
No CVSS v3.1 score for this CVE.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
1 other source (Red Hat) ▾
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
No CISA SSVC assessment for this CVE yet.
Estimated probability of exploitation in the wild in the next 30 days (FIRST EPSS). As of Oct 1, 2026.
Score over time
2021–2026- EPSS v1
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Percentile over time
- EPSS v1
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Table of values (14 key points)
Flat stretches are collapsed; showing up to 120 newest points.
| Date | Score | Percentile | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | 0.59% (0.00586) | 46.04th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 0.59% (0.00586) | 43.22th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Mar 17, 2025 | 0.04% (0.00037) | 7.86th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Dec 12, 2024 | 0.06% (0.00062) | 28.60th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jun 13, 2024 | 0.06% (0.00062) | 26.61th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 7, 2023 | 0.06% (0.00062) | 24.59th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 1.10% (0.01104) | 54.09th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Sep 17, 2022 | 1.10% (0.01104) | 52.45th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Apr 1, 2022 | 1.10% (0.01104) | 50.41th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 1.10% (0.01104) | 28.85th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 3, 2022 | 1.86% (0.01865) | 48.06th | v1 |
| Jan 6, 2022 | 1.86% (0.01865) | 47.54th | v1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | 1.86% (0.01865) | 76.13th | v1 |
| Apr 14, 2021 | 1.86% (0.01865) | 0.00th | v1 |
References (12)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/101949 vdb-entryx_refsource_BIDThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039752 vdb-entryx_refsource_SECTRACKThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3402 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3403 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3404 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:3405 vendor-advisoryx_refsource_REDHATIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-12172 Vendor Advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1498394 Issue Tracking
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12172
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-12172
- https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1801/ x_refsource_CONFIRMIssue TrackingVendor Advisory
- https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/ x_refsource_MISCIssue TrackingVendor Advisory
Change history (0)
No recorded changes yet.