PostgreSQL regexp heap buffer overflow executes arbitrary code (CVE-2026-14664)
A heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists in PostgreSQL's regular expression processing, allowing an attacker who can craft specific queries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database operating system user. This issue arises from unanticipated data growth when text is processed through pg_wchar encoding. Multiple PostgreSQL versions prior to 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11, and 18.5 are affected. A patch is available to address this vulnerability.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-14664 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in PostgreSQL's regexp functionality. The flaw allows a query author to execute arbitrary code as the OS user running the database by submitting text that bypasses encoding validation, causing unexpected data growth during round-tripping through pg_wchar. This vulnerability is related to CVE-2026-2006 but involves a distinct mechanism. Affected versions include PostgreSQL releases before 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11, and 18.5. The vulnerability has a high severity rating and a patch is available.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the operating system user running the PostgreSQL database. This could lead to full compromise of the database server environment under that user context. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official patch is available for this vulnerability. Users should upgrade affected PostgreSQL versions to 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11, 18.5 or later to remediate this issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the vendor-provided fix.
PostgreSQL regexp heap buffer overflow executes arbitrary code (CVE-2026-14664)
Description
A heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists in PostgreSQL's regular expression processing, allowing an attacker who can craft specific queries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the database operating system user. This issue arises from unanticipated data growth when text is processed through pg_wchar encoding. Multiple PostgreSQL versions prior to 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11, and 18.5 are affected. A patch is available to address this vulnerability.
Affected software
pkg:deb/postgresql/postgresqlRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-14664 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in PostgreSQL's regexp functionality. The flaw allows a query author to execute arbitrary code as the OS user running the database by submitting text that bypasses encoding validation, causing unexpected data growth during round-tripping through pg_wchar. This vulnerability is related to CVE-2026-2006 but involves a distinct mechanism. Affected versions include PostgreSQL releases before 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11, and 18.5. The vulnerability has a high severity rating and a patch is available.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the operating system user running the PostgreSQL database. This could lead to full compromise of the database server environment under that user context. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official patch is available for this vulnerability. Users should upgrade affected PostgreSQL versions to 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11, 18.5 or later to remediate this issue. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the vendor-provided fix.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-p6pp-53vr-h4w8
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-14664"]
- Database Specific Severity
- HIGH
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a7e0366bf8831d5398f8699
Added to database: 08/13/2026, 17:48:22 UTC
Last enriched: 09/08/2026, 15:15:44 UTC
Last updated: 09/26/2026, 14:39:09 UTC
Views: 49
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