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.

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6269-1 postgresql-15 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6270-1 postgresql-17 security update
Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Postgresql
Postgresql postgresql
Vendors & Products Postgresql
Postgresql postgresql

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
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
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: PostgreSQL

Published:

Updated: 2026-05-14T13:00:11.039Z

Reserved: 2026-04-17T00:43:21.782Z

Link: CVE-2026-6475

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-05-14T14:16:25.113

Modified: 2026-05-14T14:16:25.113

Link: CVE-2026-6475

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-05-14T14:45:22Z

Weaknesses