CVE-2026-16238
PostgreSQL type confusion in pg_restore_attribute_stats() executes arbitrary code
Description
Type confusion in PostgreSQL pg_restore_attribute_stats() allows an object creator to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database, via conflation of range and multirange values. Within major version 18, minor versions before PostgreSQL 18.5 are affected. Versions before PostgreSQL 18 are unaffected.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 13, 2026, 1:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 19, 2026, 2:59 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007 |
Solution
- Update PostgreSQL to version 18.5 or later.
- Apply vendor patches when available.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-16238.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-16238/ | Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-16238 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-16238
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-16238 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-16238 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Aug. 19, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 14.0 up to (excluding) 14.24 *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.0 up to (excluding) 15.19 *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 16.0 up to (excluding) 16.15 *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.0 up to (excluding) 17.11 *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 18.0 up to (excluding) 18.5 Added Reference Type PostgreSQL: https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-16238/ Types: Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 14, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-16238', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-13T14:30:30.648909Z'} {'id': 'CVE-2026-16238', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-13T00:00:00+00:00'} -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 13, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-16238', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-13T14:30:30.648909Z'} -
New CVE Received by f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007
Aug. 13, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'n/a', 'product': 'PostgreSQL', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '18', 'lessThan': '18.5', 'versionType': 'rpm'}], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added Description Type confusion in PostgreSQL pg_restore_attribute_stats() allows an object creator to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database, via conflation of range and multirange values. Within major version 18, minor versions before PostgreSQL 18.5 are affected. Versions before PostgreSQL 18 are unaffected. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-843 Added Reference https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-16238/