CVE-2023-39417: IN THE EXTENSION SCRIPT, a SQL Injection vulnerability was found in PostgreSQL if it uses @extowner@, @extsche

This month

HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2023-39417 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting postgresql, software collections, enterprise linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

IN THE EXTENSION SCRIPT, a SQL Injection vulnerability was found in PostgreSQL if it uses @extowner@, @extschema@, or @extschema:...@ inside a quoting construct (dollar quoting, '', or ""). If an administrator has installed files of a vulnerable, trusted, non-bundled extension, an attacker with database-level CREATE privilege can execute arbitrary code as the bootstrap superuser.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2023-08-11
Last modified	2026-11-01

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

Last updated 2026-11-01 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-11 13:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-11-01 04:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

postgresql postgresql UPGRADE

Affected: >= 11.0 and < 11.21 · >= 12.0 and < 12.16 · >= 13.0 and < 13.12 · >= 14.0 and < 14.9 · >= 15.0 and < 15.4

Fixed in: 11.21, 12.16, 13.12, 14.9, 15.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 11.21 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade postgresql

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade postgresql

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 11.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison postgresql sudo apt install postgresql=<VERSION_BEFORE_11.0> sudo apt-mark hold postgresql

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list postgresql sudo dnf downgrade postgresql-<VERSION_BEFORE_11.0> 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.

redhat software collections MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy software-collections || rpm -q software-collections || software-collections --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

redhat enterprise linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 11.0 · 12.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Advisories and coverage

Official advisories

GitLab Security Releases: GitLab Security Release: 16.6.1, 16.5.3, 16.4.3 2023-11-30

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-2023-39417?

postgresql: upgrade to 11.21, 12.16, 13.12, 14.9, 15.4; software collections: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-39417 being exploited?

CVE-2023-39417 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-2023-39417 affect?

CVE-2023-39417 affects postgresql, software collections, enterprise linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). IN THE EXTENSION SCRIPT, a SQL Injection vulnerability was found in PostgreSQL if it uses @extowner@, @extschema@, or @extschema:...@ inside a quoting construct (dollar quoting, '', or ""). If an administrator has installed files of a vulne

How urgent is CVE-2023-39417?

Priority 50/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

PostgreSQL vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities · Bootstrap vulnerabilities

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References

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