CVE-2017-12172: PostgreSQL 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10, 9.4.x before 9.4.15, 9.3.x before 9.3.20

Routine

MEDIUM 6.7DOWNGRADE

CVE-2017-12172 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.7) affecting postgresql. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

PostgreSQL 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10, 9.4.x before 9.4.15, 9.3.x before 9.3.20, and 9.2.x before 9.2.24 runs under a non-root operating system account, and database superusers have effective ability to run arbitrary code under that system account. PostgreSQL provides a script for starting the database server during system boot. Packages of PostgreSQL for many operating systems provide their own, packager-authored s

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.7 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 52%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2017-11-22
Last modified	2026-10-15

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: postgresql

Last updated 2026-10-15 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-11-22 19:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-15 16:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

postgresql postgresql DOWNGRADE

Affected: 9.2 · 9.2.1 · 9.2.2 · 9.2.3 · 9.2.4 · 9.2.5 · 9.2.6 · 9.2.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy postgresql || rpm -q postgresql || postgresql --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison postgresql sudo apt install postgresql=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.2> sudo apt-mark hold postgresql

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list postgresql sudo dnf downgrade postgresql-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.2> sudo dnf versionlock add postgresql

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2017-12172?

postgresql: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-12172 being exploited?

CVE-2017-12172 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2017-12172 affect?

CVE-2017-12172 affects postgresql. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.7). PostgreSQL 10.x before 10.1, 9.6.x before 9.6.6, 9.5.x before 9.5.10, 9.4.x before 9.4.15, 9.3.x before 9.3.20, and 9.2.x before 9.2.24 runs under a non-root operating system account, and database superusers have effective ability to run ar

How urgent is CVE-2017-12172?

Priority 35/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

PostgreSQL vulnerabilities

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References

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