Description
Use of externally-controlled format string in PostgreSQL pg_basebackup allows an attacker having already compromised a server to achieve disclosure from pg_basebackup memory, via backup manifest bytes. The vulnerability does not return the improperly-read bytes back to the attacker's server, so a successful attack would need separate implementation-specific secrets for that. Integrity impact is unlikely; in particular, the applicable formatter does not support %n. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, and 14.25 are affected.
Published: 2026-11-12
Score: 3.7 Low
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

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Remediation

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Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Use of externally-controlled format string in PostgreSQL pg_basebackup allows an attacker having already compromised a server to achieve disclosure from pg_basebackup memory, via backup manifest bytes. The vulnerability does not return the improperly-read bytes back to the attacker's server, so a successful attack would need separate implementation-specific secrets for that. Integrity impact is unlikely; in particular, the applicable formatter does not support %n. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, and 14.25 are affected.
Title PostgreSQL pg_basebackup can use backup manifest content as a format string
Weaknesses CWE-134
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 3.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N'}


Subscriptions

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: PostgreSQL

Published:

Updated: 2026-11-12T14:15:31.280Z

Reserved: 2026-07-20T01:55:33.940Z

Link: CVE-2026-16240

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-11-12T15:17:50.170

Modified: 2026-11-12T15:17:50.170

Link: CVE-2026-16240

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses
  • CWE-134

    Use of Externally-Controlled Format String