PGS9-00-001800 - PostgreSQL must check the validity of all data inputs except those specifically identified by the organization.

Information

Invalid user input occurs when a user inserts data or characters into an application's data entry fields and the application is unprepared to process that data. This results in unanticipated application behavior, potentially leading to an application or information system compromise. Invalid user input is one of the primary methods employed when attempting to compromise an application.

With respect to database management systems, one class of threat is known as SQL Injection, or more generally, code injection. It takes advantage of the dynamic execution capabilities of various programming languages, including dialects of SQL. Potentially, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to data, including security settings, and severely corrupt or destroy the database.

Even when no such hijacking takes place, invalid input that gets recorded in the database, whether accidental or malicious, reduces the reliability and usability of the system. Available protections include data types, referential constraints, uniqueness constraints, range checking, and application-specific logic. Application-specific logic can be implemented within the database in stored procedures and triggers, where appropriate.

This calls for inspection of application source code, which will require collaboration with the application developers. It is recognized that in many cases, the database administrator (DBA) is organizationally separate from the application developers, and may have limited, if any, access to source code. Nevertheless, protections of this type are so important to the secure operation of databases that they must not be ignored. At a minimum, the DBA must attempt to obtain assurances from the development organization that this issue has been addressed, and must document what has been discovered.

NOTE: Nessus has not performed this check. Please review the benchmark to ensure target compliance.

Solution

Modify database code to properly validate data before it is put into the database or acted upon by the database.

Modify the database to contain constraints and validity checking on database columns and tables that require them for data integrity.

Use prepared statements when taking user input.

Do not allow general users direct console access to PostgreSQL.

Item Details

Audit Name: DISA STIG PostgreSQL 9.x on RHEL DB v2r4

Plugin: PostgreSQLDB

Control ID: 3985bffef81d391ba4ca6e0179375676a6525a3eef0489b7e230e32dcd4247e8

Detections

Analytics

PGS9-00-001800 - PostgreSQL must check the validity of all data inputs except those specifically identified by the organization.

Information

Solution

See Also

Item Details