// For flags

CVE-2024-10979

PostgreSQL PL/Perl environment variable changes execute arbitrary code

Severity Score

8.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Track*
*SSVC
Descriptions

Incorrect control of environment variables in PostgreSQL PL/Perl allows an unprivileged database user to change sensitive process environment variables (e.g. PATH). That often suffices to enable arbitrary code execution, even if the attacker lacks a database server operating system user. Versions before PostgreSQL 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, and 12.21 are affected.

A flaw was found in PostgreSQL PL/Perl. This vulnerability allows an unprivileged database user to change sensitive process environment variables (e.g., PATH) via incorrect control of environment variables.

Wolfgang Walther discovered that PostgreSQL incorrectly tracked tables with row security. A remote attacker could possibly use this issue to perform forbidden reads and modifications. Jacob Champion discovered that PostgreSQL clients used untrusted server error messages. An attacker that is able to intercept network communications could possibly use this issue to inject error messages that could be interpreted as valid query results.

*Credits: The PostgreSQL project thanks Coby Abrams for reporting this problem.
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
Single
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Track*
Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Tech. Impact
Total
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2024-11-07 CVE Reserved
  • 2024-11-14 CVE Published
  • 2025-01-10 CVE Updated
  • 2025-07-20 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-15: External Control of System or Configuration Setting
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Postgresql
Search vendor "Postgresql"
 Postgresql
Search vendor "Postgresql" for product "Postgresql"
*-
Affected
Freebsd
Search vendor "Freebsd"
 Freebsd
Search vendor "Freebsd" for product "Freebsd"
*-
Affected