The bitsubstr function in backend/utils/adt/varbit.c in PostgreSQL 8.0.23, 8.1.11, and 8.3.8 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or have unspecified other impact via vectors involving a negative integer in the third argument, as demonstrated by a SELECT statement that contains a call to the substring function for a bit string, related to an "overflow."

From Red Hat Security Advisory 2010:0429 :

Updated postgresql packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.

The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section.

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system (DBMS). PL/Perl and PL/Tcl allow users to write PostgreSQL functions in the Perl and Tcl languages, and are installed in trusted mode by default. In trusted mode, certain operations, such as operating system level access, are restricted.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Perl. If the PL/Perl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Perl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Perl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Perl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1169)

Red Hat would like to thank Tim Bunce for responsibly reporting the CVE-2010-1169 flaw.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Tcl. If the PL/Tcl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Tcl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Tcl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Tcl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1170)

A buffer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL retrieved a substring from the bit string for BIT() and BIT VARYING() SQL data types. An authenticated database user running a specially crafted SQL query could use this flaw to cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0442)

An integer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL used to calculate the size of the hash table for joined relations. An authenticated database user could create a specially crafted SQL query which could cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0733)

PostgreSQL improperly protected session-local state during the execution of an index function by a database superuser during the database maintenance operations. An authenticated database user could use this flaw to elevate their privileges via specially crafted index functions. (CVE-2009-4136)

These packages upgrade PostgreSQL to version 8.1.21. Refer to the PostgreSQL Release Notes for a list of changes :

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.1/static/release.html

All PostgreSQL users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which correct these issues. If the postgresql service is running, it will be automatically restarted after installing this update.

From Red Hat Security Advisory 2010:0428 :

Updated postgresql packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.

The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section.

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system (DBMS). PL/Perl and PL/Tcl allow users to write PostgreSQL functions in the Perl and Tcl languages, and are installed in trusted mode by default. In trusted mode, certain operations, such as operating system level access, are restricted.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Perl. If the PL/Perl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Perl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Perl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Perl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1169)

Red Hat would like to thank Tim Bunce for responsibly reporting the CVE-2010-1169 flaw.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Tcl. If the PL/Tcl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Tcl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Tcl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Tcl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1170)

A buffer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL retrieved a substring from the bit string for BIT() and BIT VARYING() SQL data types. An authenticated database user running a specially crafted SQL query could use this flaw to cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0442)

An integer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL used to calculate the size of the hash table for joined relations. An authenticated database user could create a specially crafted SQL query which could cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0733)

PostgreSQL improperly protected session-local state during the execution of an index function by a database superuser during the database maintenance operations. An authenticated database user could use this flaw to elevate their privileges via specially crafted index functions. (CVE-2009-4136)

These packages upgrade PostgreSQL to version 7.4.29. Refer to the PostgreSQL Release Notes for a list of changes :

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/7.4/static/release.html

All PostgreSQL users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which correct these issues. If the postgresql service is running, it will be automatically restarted after installing this update.

From Red Hat Security Advisory 2010:0427 :

Updated postgresql packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.

The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section.

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system (DBMS). PL/Perl and PL/Tcl allow users to write PostgreSQL functions in the Perl and Tcl languages, and are installed in trusted mode by default. In trusted mode, certain operations, such as operating system level access, are restricted.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Perl. If the PL/Perl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Perl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Perl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Perl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1169)

Red Hat would like to thank Tim Bunce for responsibly reporting the CVE-2010-1169 flaw.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Tcl. If the PL/Tcl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Tcl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Tcl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Tcl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1170)

A buffer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL retrieved a substring from the bit string for BIT() and BIT VARYING() SQL data types. An authenticated database user running a specially crafted SQL query could use this flaw to cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0442)

An integer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL used to calculate the size of the hash table for joined relations. An authenticated database user could create a specially crafted SQL query which could cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0733)

PostgreSQL improperly protected session-local state during the execution of an index function by a database superuser during the database maintenance operations. An authenticated database user could use this flaw to elevate their privileges via specially crafted index functions. (CVE-2009-4136)

All PostgreSQL users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which contain backported patches to correct these issues. Running PostgreSQL instances must be restarted ('service rhdb restart') for this update to take effect.

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system (DBMS). PL/Perl and PL/Tcl allow users to write PostgreSQL functions in the Perl and Tcl languages, and are installed in trusted mode by default. In trusted mode, certain operations, such as operating system level access, are restricted.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Perl. If the PL/Perl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Perl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Perl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Perl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1169)

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Tcl. If the PL/Tcl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Tcl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Tcl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Tcl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1170)

A buffer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL retrieved a substring from the bit string for BIT() and BIT VARYING() SQL data types. An authenticated database user running a specially crafted SQL query could use this flaw to cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0442)

An integer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL used to calculate the size of the hash table for joined relations. An authenticated database user could create a specially crafted SQL query which could cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0733)

PostgreSQL improperly protected session-local state during the execution of an index function by a database superuser during the database maintenance operations. An authenticated database user could use this flaw to elevate their privileges via specially crafted index functions. (CVE-2009-4136)

If the postgresql service is running, it will be automatically restarted after installing this update.

The remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-201110-22 (PostgreSQL: Multiple vulnerabilities)

    Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in PostgreSQL. Please       review the CVE identifiers referenced below for details.
  Impact :

    A remote authenticated attacker could send a specially crafted SQL query       to a PostgreSQL server with the 'intarray' module enabled, possibly       resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the       PostgreSQL server process, or a Denial of Service condition. Furthermore,       a remote authenticated attacker could execute arbitrary Perl code, cause       a Denial of Service condition via different vectors, bypass LDAP       authentication, bypass X.509 certificate validation, gain database       privileges, exploit weak blowfish encryption and possibly cause other       unspecified impact.
  Workaround :

    There is no known workaround at this time.

Updated postgresql packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.

The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section.

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system (DBMS). PL/Perl and PL/Tcl allow users to write PostgreSQL functions in the Perl and Tcl languages, and are installed in trusted mode by default. In trusted mode, certain operations, such as operating system level access, are restricted.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Perl. If the PL/Perl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Perl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Perl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Perl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1169)

Red Hat would like to thank Tim Bunce for responsibly reporting the CVE-2010-1169 flaw.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Tcl. If the PL/Tcl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Tcl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Tcl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Tcl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1170)

A buffer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL retrieved a substring from the bit string for BIT() and BIT VARYING() SQL data types. An authenticated database user running a specially crafted SQL query could use this flaw to cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0442)

An integer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL used to calculate the size of the hash table for joined relations. An authenticated database user could create a specially crafted SQL query which could cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0733)

PostgreSQL improperly protected session-local state during the execution of an index function by a database superuser during the database maintenance operations. An authenticated database user could use this flaw to elevate their privileges via specially crafted index functions. (CVE-2009-4136)

These packages upgrade PostgreSQL to version 8.1.21. Refer to the PostgreSQL Release Notes for a list of changes :

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.1/static/release.html

All PostgreSQL users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which correct these issues. If the postgresql service is running, it will be automatically restarted after installing this update.

Several local vulnerabilities have been discovered in PostgreSQL, an object-relational SQL database. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project identifies the following problems :

  - CVE-2010-1169     Tim Bunce discovered that the implementation of the     procedural language PL/Perl insufficiently restricts the     subset of allowed code, which allows authenticated users     the execution of arbitrary Perl code.

  - CVE-2010-1170     Tom Lane discovered that the implementation of the     procedural language PL/Tcl insufficiently restricts the     subset of allowed code, which allows authenticated users     the execution of arbitrary Tcl code.

  - CVE-2010-1975     It was discovered that an unprivileged user could reset     superuser-only parameter settings.

Updated postgresql packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.

The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section.

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system (DBMS). PL/Perl and PL/Tcl allow users to write PostgreSQL functions in the Perl and Tcl languages, and are installed in trusted mode by default. In trusted mode, certain operations, such as operating system level access, are restricted.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Perl. If the PL/Perl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Perl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Perl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Perl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1169)

Red Hat would like to thank Tim Bunce for responsibly reporting the CVE-2010-1169 flaw.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Tcl. If the PL/Tcl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Tcl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Tcl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Tcl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1170)

A buffer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL retrieved a substring from the bit string for BIT() and BIT VARYING() SQL data types. An authenticated database user running a specially crafted SQL query could use this flaw to cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0442)

An integer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL used to calculate the size of the hash table for joined relations. An authenticated database user could create a specially crafted SQL query which could cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0733)

PostgreSQL improperly protected session-local state during the execution of an index function by a database superuser during the database maintenance operations. An authenticated database user could use this flaw to elevate their privileges via specially crafted index functions. (CVE-2009-4136)

These packages upgrade PostgreSQL to version 7.4.29. Refer to the PostgreSQL Release Notes for a list of changes :

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/7.4/static/release.html

All PostgreSQL users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which correct these issues. If the postgresql service is running, it will be automatically restarted after installing this update.

Updated postgresql packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.

The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section.

PostgreSQL is an advanced object-relational database management system (DBMS). PL/Perl and PL/Tcl allow users to write PostgreSQL functions in the Perl and Tcl languages, and are installed in trusted mode by default. In trusted mode, certain operations, such as operating system level access, are restricted.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Perl. If the PL/Perl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Perl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Perl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Perl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1169)

Red Hat would like to thank Tim Bunce for responsibly reporting the CVE-2010-1169 flaw.

A flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Tcl. If the PL/Tcl procedural language was registered on a particular database, an authenticated database user running a specially crafted PL/Tcl script could use this flaw to bypass intended PL/Tcl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to run arbitrary Tcl scripts with the privileges of the database server.
(CVE-2010-1170)

A buffer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL retrieved a substring from the bit string for BIT() and BIT VARYING() SQL data types. An authenticated database user running a specially crafted SQL query could use this flaw to cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0442)

An integer overflow flaw was found in the way PostgreSQL used to calculate the size of the hash table for joined relations. An authenticated database user could create a specially crafted SQL query which could cause a temporary denial of service (postgres daemon crash) or, potentially, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database server. (CVE-2010-0733)

PostgreSQL improperly protected session-local state during the execution of an index function by a database superuser during the database maintenance operations. An authenticated database user could use this flaw to elevate their privileges via specially crafted index functions. (CVE-2009-4136)

All PostgreSQL users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which contain backported patches to correct these issues. Running PostgreSQL instances must be restarted ('service rhdb restart') for this update to take effect.

Multiple vulnerabilities was discovered and corrected in postgresql :

The bitsubstr function in backend/utils/adt/varbit.c in PostgreSQL 8.0.23, 8.1.11, and 8.3.8 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or have unspecified other impact via vectors involving a negative integer in the third argument, as demonstrated by a SELECT statement that contains a call to the substring function for a bit string, related to an overflow.
(CVE-2010-0442).

A flaw was found in the way the PostgreSQL server process enforced permission checks on scripts written in PL/Perl. A remote, authenticated user, running a specially crafted PL/Perl script, could use this flaw to bypass PL/Perl trusted mode restrictions, allowing them to obtain sensitive information; execute arbitrary Perl scripts;
or cause a denial of service (remove protected, sensitive data) (CVE-2010-1169).

The PL/Tcl implementation in PostgreSQL 7.4 before 7.4.29, 8.0 before 8.0.25, 8.1 before 8.1.21, 8.2 before 8.2.17, 8.3 before 8.3.11, 8.4 before 8.4.4, and 9.0 Beta before 9.0 Beta 2 loads Tcl code from the pltcl_modules table regardless of the table's ownership and permissions, which allows remote authenticated users, with database-creation privileges, to execute arbitrary Tcl code by creating this table and inserting a crafted Tcl script (CVE-2010-1170).

PostgreSQL 7.4 before 7.4.29, 8.0 before 8.0.25, 8.1 before 8.1.21, 8.2 before 8.2.17, 8.3 before 8.3.11, and 8.4 before 8.4.4 does not properly check privileges during certain RESET ALL operations, which allows remote authenticated users to remove arbitrary parameter settings via a (1) ALTER USER or (2) ALTER DATABASE statement (CVE-2010-1975).

Packages for 2008.0 and 2009.0 are provided as of the Extended Maintenance Program. Please visit this link to learn more:
http://store.mandriva.com/product_info.php?cPath=149&amp;products_id=4 90

This update provides a solution to these vulnerabilities.

The remote Redhat Enterprise Linux 4 host has packages installed that are affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the RHSA-2010:0428 advisory.

  - postgresql: SQL privilege escalation via modifications to session-local state (CVE-2009-4136)

  - postgresql: substring() negative length argument buffer overflow (CVE-2010-0442)

  - postgresql: Integer overflow in hash table size calculation (CVE-2010-0733)

  - PostgreSQL: PL/Perl Intended restriction bypass (CVE-2010-1169)

  - PostgreSQL: PL/Tcl Intended restriction bypass (CVE-2010-1170)

  - postgresql: improper privilege check during certain RESET ALL operations (CVE-2010-1975)

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

It was discovered that PostgreSQL did not properly sanitize its input when using substring() with a SELECT statement. A remote authenticated attacker could exploit this to cause a denial of service via application crash.

Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Ubuntu security advisory. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.

BugTraq reports :

PostgreSQL is prone to a buffer-overflow vulnerability because the application fails to perform adequate boundary checks on user-supplied data.

Attackers can exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or crash the affected application.

ID	Name	Product	Family	Severity
68044	Oracle Linux 5 : postgresql (ELSA-2010-0429)	Nessus	Oracle Linux Local Security Checks	high
68043	Oracle Linux 4 : postgresql (ELSA-2010-0428)	Nessus	Oracle Linux Local Security Checks	high
68042	Oracle Linux 3 : postgresql (ELSA-2010-0427)	Nessus	Oracle Linux Local Security Checks	high
60795	Scientific Linux Security Update : postgresql on SL3.x, SL4.x, SL5.x i386/x86_64	Nessus	Scientific Linux Local Security Checks	high
56626	GLSA-201110-22 : PostgreSQL: Multiple vulnerabilities	Nessus	Gentoo Local Security Checks	high
46761	CentOS 5 : postgresql (CESA-2010:0429)	Nessus	CentOS Local Security Checks	high
46710	Debian DSA-2051-1 : postgresql-8.3 - several vulnerabilities	Nessus	Debian Local Security Checks	high
46696	CentOS 4 : postgresql (CESA-2010:0428)	Nessus	CentOS Local Security Checks	high
46695	CentOS 3 : postgresql (CESA-2010:0427)	Nessus	CentOS Local Security Checks	high
46690	Mandriva Linux Security Advisory : postgresql (MDVSA-2010:103)	Nessus	Mandriva Local Security Checks	high
46683	RHEL 5 : postgresql (RHSA-2010:0429)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	high
46682	RHEL 4 : postgresql (RHSA-2010:0428)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	medium
46681	RHEL 3 : postgresql (RHSA-2010:0427)	Nessus	Red Hat Local Security Checks	high
46179	Ubuntu 6.06 LTS / 8.04 LTS / 9.04 / 9.10 : postgresql-8.1, postgresql-8.3, postgresql-8.4 vulnerability (USN-933-1)	Nessus	Ubuntu Local Security Checks	medium
45348	FreeBSD : postgresql -- bitsubstr overflow (e050119b-3856-11df-b2b2-002170daae37)	Nessus	FreeBSD Local Security Checks	medium

Detections

Analytics

CVE-2010-0442

critical

Tenable Plugins

high

high

high

high

high

high

high

high

high

high

high

medium

high

medium

medium