CVE-2026-116321
Received Received - Intake

Improper Null Termination in PostgreSQL Array Element Assignment

Publication date: 2026-11-12

Last updated on: 2026-11-12

Assigner: PostgreSQL

Description
Improper null termination in PostgreSQL array element assignment allows a database user to disclose server memory, via changing the final byte of a fixed-length name value to a nonzero byte and passing it to code that treats the value as a C string. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, and 14.25 are affected.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

Meta Information

Published
2026-11-12
Last Modified
2026-11-12
Generated
2026-11-12
AI Q&A
2026-11-12
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-116321
EUVD
EUVD-2026-124501

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
postgresql postgresql to 18.7|end_excluding=17.12|end_excluding=16.16|end_excluding=15.20|end_excluding=14.25 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
CWE Icon
KEV
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-170 The product does not terminate or incorrectly terminates a string or array with a null character or equivalent terminator.

Attack-Flow Graph

AI Quick Actions

Instant insights powered by AI
Executive Summary

This vulnerability involves improper null termination in PostgreSQL array element assignment. A database user can disclose server memory by changing the final byte of a fixed-length name value to a nonzero byte. This causes the value to be treated as a C string without proper termination, leading to potential memory exposure.

Detection Guidance

Detecting this vulnerability requires checking PostgreSQL version against affected releases. Use command: psql --version to verify installed version. Compare output against versions 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, and 14.25. If running an older version, the system is vulnerable.

Impact Analysis

An attacker with database access could exploit this to read sensitive server memory, potentially exposing confidential data like passwords or encryption keys. The impact is limited to information disclosure and requires user privileges to exploit.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized data exposure, violating GDPR's data protection requirements or HIPAA's safeguards for protected health information. Organizations must patch affected systems to maintain compliance.

Mitigation Strategies

Immediately upgrade PostgreSQL to a patched version: 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, or 14.25. After upgrade, restart the PostgreSQL service. Ensure no untrusted users have database access until patched. Monitor logs for unusual memory disclosure patterns.

Chat Assistant

Ask questions about this CVE
Hi! I’m here to help you understand CVE-2026-116321. Ask me anything about the vulnerability, its impact, or mitigation strategies.
0/70

EPSS Chart

Security Radar

News mentioning this vulnerability
Loading related security news...