Symlink following in PostgreSQL pg_basebackup plain format and in pg_rewind allows an origin superuser to overwrite local files, e.g. /var/lib/postgres/.bashrc, that hijack the operating system account. It will remain the case that starting the server after these commands implicitly trusts the origin superuser, due to features like shared_preload_libraries. Hence, the attack has practical implications only if one takes relevant action between these commands and server start, like moving the files to a different VM or snapshotting the VM. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected.
Metrics
Affected Vendors & Products
References
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| https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-6475/ |
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History
Thu, 14 May 2026 16:30:00 +0000
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Thu, 14 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000
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Thu, 14 May 2026 13:30:00 +0000
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| Description | Symlink following in PostgreSQL pg_basebackup plain format and in pg_rewind allows an origin superuser to overwrite local files, e.g. /var/lib/postgres/.bashrc, that hijack the operating system account. It will remain the case that starting the server after these commands implicitly trusts the origin superuser, due to features like shared_preload_libraries. Hence, the attack has practical implications only if one takes relevant action between these commands and server start, like moving the files to a different VM or snapshotting the VM. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected. | |
| Title | PostgreSQL pg_basebackup and pg_rewind can overwrite unrelated files of origin superuser choice | |
| Weaknesses | CWE-61 | |
| References |
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| Metrics |
cvssV3_1
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: PostgreSQL
Published:
Updated: 2026-05-14T15:31:10.375Z
Reserved: 2026-04-17T00:43:21.782Z
Link: CVE-2026-6475
Updated: 2026-05-14T15:31:04.651Z
Status : Awaiting Analysis
Published: 2026-05-14T14:16:25.113
Modified: 2026-05-14T16:21:23.190
Link: CVE-2026-6475
No data.