Query-output spoofing via retained negotiation errors
Published Nov 14, 2024 · Updated Nov 3, 2025
Improper validation in PostgreSQL libpq before 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, and 12.21 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof query output. During SSL or GSS negotiation, fe-connect.c preserves and reports arbitrary non-NUL bytes from an untrusted server instead of discarding them before encryption is established. A victim must use a client that does not clearly distinguish connection errors from other text and then trust the forged output; no direct data disclosure or service interruption is reported.
Summary
What happened
Improper validation in PostgreSQL libpq before 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, and 12.21 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof query output. During SSL or GSS negotiation, fe-connect.c preserves and reports arbitrary non-NUL bytes from an untrusted server instead of discarding them before encryption is established. A victim must use a client that does not clearly distinguish connection errors from other text and then trust the forged output; no direct data disclosure or service interruption is reported.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-10977
- Published
- Nov 14, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 3, 2025
- Vendor
- PostgreSQL Global Development Group
- Product
- PostgreSQL
- Classifications
- CWE-348, T1565.002
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Nov 14, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 3, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <12.21
- Affected versionversion=13 <13.17
- Affected versionversion=14 <14.14
- Affected versionversion=15 <15.9
- Affected versionversion=16 <16.5
- Affected versionversion=17 <17.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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