Covert timing channel in comparison of MD5-hashed password in PostgreSQL authentication allows an attacker to recover user credentials sufficient to authenticate. This does not affect scram-sha-256 passwords, the default in all supported releases. However, current databases may have MD5-hashed passwords originating in upgrades from PostgreSQL 13 or earlier. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected.
Advisories
| Source | ID | Title |
|---|---|---|
Debian DSA |
DSA-6269-1 | postgresql-15 security update |
Debian DSA |
DSA-6270-1 | postgresql-17 security update |
Fixes
Solution
No solution given by the vendor.
Workaround
reset password with password_encryption=scram-sha-256
References
| Link | Providers |
|---|---|
| https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-6478/ |
|
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 | Covert timing channel in comparison of MD5-hashed password in PostgreSQL authentication allows an attacker to recover user credentials sufficient to authenticate. This does not affect scram-sha-256 passwords, the default in all supported releases. However, current databases may have MD5-hashed passwords originating in upgrades from PostgreSQL 13 or earlier. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected. | |
| Title | PostgreSQL discloses MD5-hashed passwords via covert timing channel | |
| Weaknesses | CWE-385 | |
| References |
| |
| Metrics |
cvssV3_1
|
Projects
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: PostgreSQL
Published:
Updated: 2026-05-14T13:00:13.174Z
Reserved: 2026-04-17T00:44:57.549Z
Link: CVE-2026-6478
No data.
Status : Received
Published: 2026-05-14T14:16:25.463
Modified: 2026-05-14T14:16:25.463
Link: CVE-2026-6478
No data.
OpenCVE Enrichment
Updated: 2026-05-14T14:45:22Z
Weaknesses
Debian DSA