CVE-2026-6478

What it is

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.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

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

1. 2026-05-14 14:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-08-25 13:19 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-05-14 14:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-08-25 13:19 UTC

Exploit probability

0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-385

Record status

Modified

Affected

• PostgreSQL < 14.23
• PostgreSQL < 15.18
• PostgreSQL < 16.14
• PostgreSQL < 17.10
• PostgreSQL < 18.4

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

Low

Availability

None