PostgreSQL discloses MD5-hashed passwords via covert timing channel

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Summary

CVECVE-2026-6478
StatePUBLISHED
AssignerPostgreSQL
Source PriorityCVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback
Published2026-05-14 14:16:25 UTC
Updated2026-05-18 15:03:55 UTC
DescriptionCovert timing channel in comparison of MD5-hashed password in PostgreSQL authentication allows an attacker to recover user credentials sufficient to authenticate. This does not affect scram-sha-256 passwords, the default in all supported releases. However, current databases may have MD5-hashed passwords originating in upgrades from PostgreSQL 13 or earlier. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.4, 17.10, 16.14, 15.18, and 14.23 are affected.

Risk And Classification

Primary CVSS: v3.1 6.5 MEDIUM from f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

EPSS: 0.000760000 probability, percentile 0.226540000 (date 2026-05-25)

Problem Types: CWE-385 | CWE-385 Covert Timing Channel

VersionSourceTypeScoreSeverityVector
3.1f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007Secondary6.5MEDIUMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
3.1CNACVSS6.5MEDIUMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

CVSS v3.1 Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
None

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

NVD Known Affected Configurations (CPE 2.3)

TypeVendorProductVersionUpdateEditionLanguage
Application Postgresql Postgresql All All All All

Vendor Declared Affected Products

SourceVendorProductVersionPlatforms
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 18 18.4 rpm Not specified
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 17 17.10 rpm Not specified
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 16 16.14 rpm Not specified
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 15 15.18 rpm Not specified
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 14.23 rpm Not specified

References

ReferenceSourceLinkTags
www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-6478 f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007 www.postgresql.org Patch, Vendor Advisory
CVE Program record CVE.ORG www.cve.org canonical
NVD vulnerability detail NVD nvd.nist.gov canonical, analysis

Vendor Comments And Credit

Discovery Credit

CNA: The PostgreSQL project thanks Joe Conway for reporting this problem. (en)

Additional Advisory Data

Workarounds

CNA: reset password with password_encryption=scram-sha-256

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