CVE-2018-1115 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2018-1115, published on May 10, 2018, affects PostgreSQL versions 10.4 and 9.6.9. The vulnerability lies in the adminpack extension, specifically in the pg_catalog.pg_logfile_rotate() function. Attackers with database access can exploit this issue to manipulate log rotation.

Understanding CVE-2018-1115

This CVE entry details a vulnerability in PostgreSQL versions 10.4 and 9.6.9 due to an issue in the adminpack extension.

What is CVE-2018-1115?

PostgreSQL versions prior to 10.4 and 9.6.9 are vulnerable because the pg_catalog.pg_logfile_rotate() function does not follow the same ACLs as pg_rotate_logfile, allowing attackers with database access to manipulate log rotation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1115

The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 4.2, indicating a medium severity issue with high attack complexity and low availability impact. While confidentiality impact is none, integrity impact is low, and privileges required are low.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1115

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in PostgreSQL versions 10.4 and 9.6.9 stems from the adminpack extension, specifically the pg_catalog.pg_logfile_rotate() function, which can be exploited by attackers with database access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PostgreSQL
Versions: 10.4, 9.6.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with the ability to connect to a database where adminpack is added can exploit the vulnerability to manipulate log rotation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-1115, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PostgreSQL to versions 10.4 or 9.6.9 to patch the vulnerability.
Restrict database access to trusted entities to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit database activities to detect any unauthorized log rotation attempts.
Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by PostgreSQL to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.