CVE-2017-12172

6.7 MEDIUM 0.6% exploit odds Fix listed

What it is

PostgreSQL 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10, 9.4.x before 9.4.15, 9.3.x before 9.3.20, and 9.2.x before 9.2.24 runs under a non-root operating system account, and database superusers have effective ability to run arbitrary code under that system account. PostgreSQL provides a script for starting the database server during system boot. Packages of PostgreSQL for many operating systems provide their own, packager-authored startup implementations. Several implementations use a log file name that the database superuser can replace with a symbolic link. As root, they open(), chmod() and/or chown() this log file name. This often suffices for the database superuser to escalate to root privileges when root starts the server.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited locally on the machine with an admin-level account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2017-11-22 19:29 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-10-15 16:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 6.7 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2017-11-22 19:29 UTC
Last modified: 2026-10-15 16:17 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-59
Record status: Modified

Affected

PostgreSQL 9.2
PostgreSQL 9.2.1
PostgreSQL 9.2.2
PostgreSQL 9.2.3
PostgreSQL 9.2.4
PostgreSQL 9.2.5
PostgreSQL 9.2.6
PostgreSQL 9.2.7

Attack profile CVSS 3.0 · 6.7

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: High
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Raw vector

CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2017-12172.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2017-12172. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record