CVE-2026-6479: Uncontrolled Recursion in PostgreSQL
CVE-2026-6479 is a high-severity vulnerability in PostgreSQL affecting versions prior to 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23. It involves uncontrolled recursion during SSL and GSS negotiation, which can be exploited by an attacker with access to a PostgreSQL AF_UNIX socket to cause a sustained denial of service. If SSL and GSS are disabled, the vulnerability can also be triggered via a PostgreSQL TCP socket. There is no confirmed patch or official remediation guidance available at this time.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in PostgreSQL arises from uncontrolled recursion in the SSL and GSS negotiation processes. An attacker able to connect to a PostgreSQL AF_UNIX socket can exploit this flaw to cause a sustained denial of service condition. In cases where SSL and GSS are disabled, the same denial of service can be achieved through access to a PostgreSQL TCP socket. The issue affects multiple major PostgreSQL versions before the specified patch versions (18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23). No vendor advisory or patch information is currently provided, and the remediation level is not specified.
Potential Impact
The impact of this vulnerability is a sustained denial of service (DoS) against affected PostgreSQL servers. It does not affect confidentiality or integrity but can disrupt availability by causing the server to enter uncontrolled recursion during connection negotiation. This can lead to resource exhaustion or server crashes, impacting database availability for legitimate users.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to PostgreSQL AF_UNIX and TCP sockets to trusted users only, and consider disabling SSL and GSS negotiation if feasible as a temporary measure. Monitor PostgreSQL server stability and logs for signs of exploitation attempts.
CVE-2026-6479: Uncontrolled Recursion in PostgreSQL
Description
CVE-2026-6479 is a high-severity vulnerability in PostgreSQL affecting versions prior to 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23. It involves uncontrolled recursion during SSL and GSS negotiation, which can be exploited by an attacker with access to a PostgreSQL AF_UNIX socket to cause a sustained denial of service. If SSL and GSS are disabled, the vulnerability can also be triggered via a PostgreSQL TCP socket. There is no confirmed patch or official remediation guidance available at this time.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in PostgreSQL arises from uncontrolled recursion in the SSL and GSS negotiation processes. An attacker able to connect to a PostgreSQL AF_UNIX socket can exploit this flaw to cause a sustained denial of service condition. In cases where SSL and GSS are disabled, the same denial of service can be achieved through access to a PostgreSQL TCP socket. The issue affects multiple major PostgreSQL versions before the specified patch versions (18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23). No vendor advisory or patch information is currently provided, and the remediation level is not specified.
Potential Impact
The impact of this vulnerability is a sustained denial of service (DoS) against affected PostgreSQL servers. It does not affect confidentiality or integrity but can disrupt availability by causing the server to enter uncontrolled recursion during connection negotiation. This can lead to resource exhaustion or server crashes, impacting database availability for legitimate users.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to PostgreSQL AF_UNIX and TCP sockets to trusted users only, and consider disabling SSL and GSS negotiation if feasible as a temporary measure. Monitor PostgreSQL server stability and logs for signs of exploitation attempts.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- PostgreSQL
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-17T00:45:37.869Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a05cfe8ec166c07b0e1394d
Added to database: 05/14/2026, 13:36:40 UTC
Last enriched: 05/21/2026, 15:48:22 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:23:00 UTC
Views: 112
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
External Links
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.