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PostgreSQL CVE-2012-3489

MEDIUM
Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (CWE-611)
2012-10-03 secalert@redhat.com
PostgreSQL Apple XXE Debian Red Hat Canonical Debian Linux Enterprise Linux Desktop Enterprise Linux Eus Enterprise Linux Server Enterprise Linux Workstation Ubuntu Linux Mac Os X Server Opensuse
6.5
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-611
OWASP Top 10:2025
A02:2025 - Security Misconfiguration
ASVS 5.0
V13 - Configuration XML external entity prevention
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Collection

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

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Impact

CVSS score of 6.5 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction not required. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.96%.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote attacker could read arbitrary files or perform SSRF through XML processing by sending crafted requests to the affected application.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 1.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

The xml_parse function in the libxml2 support in the core server component in PostgreSQL 8.3 before 8.3.20, 8.4 before 8.4.13, 9.0 before 9.0.9, and 9.1 before 9.1.5 allows remote authenticated users. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability could allow attackers to read arbitrary files or perform SSRF through XML processing.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Disable external entity processing in XML parsers, use JSON instead of XML where possible.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as XML External Entity (XXE) (CWE-611), which allows attackers to read arbitrary files or perform SSRF through XML processing. The xml_parse function in the libxml2 support in the core server component in PostgreSQL 8.3 before 8.3.20, 8.4 before 8.4.13, 9.0 before 9.0.9, and 9.1 before 9.1.5 allows remote authenticated users to determine the existence of arbitrary files or URLs, and possibly obtain file or URL content that triggers a parsing error, via an XML value that refers to (1) a DTD or (2) an entity, related to an XML External Entity (aka XXE) issue. Affected products include: Postgresql, Opensuse, Apple Mac Os X Server, Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Debian Debian Linux. Version information: before 8.3.20.

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 6.5 MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

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

DescriptionCVE.org

The xml_parse function in the libxml2 support in the core server component in PostgreSQL 8.3 before 8.3.20, 8.4 before 8.4.13, 9.0 before 9.0.9, and 9.1 before 9.1.5 allows remote authenticated users to determine the existence of arbitrary files or URLs, and possibly obtain file or URL content that triggers a parsing error, via an XML value that refers to (1) a DTD or (2) an entity, related to an XML External Entity (aka XXE) issue.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
1.0%
Top 23% exploitable
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low
NVD CVE.org EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 1.0%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

33
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +32
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

XML External Entity Injection HIGH

XML External Entity (XXE) attacks exploit XML parsers that process Document Type Definitions (DTDs) without proper restrictions.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:11.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:12.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:opensuse:12.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x_server:10.6.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:8.04:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:10.04:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:11.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:11.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_eus:6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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References

Advisories & patches
PATCH https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=849173 ADVISORY http://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1407/ ADVISORY http://www.postgresql.org/support/security/ REF http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2013/Mar/msg00002.html REF http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2012-09/msg00102.html REF http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2012-10/msg00013.html REF http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2012-10/msg00024.html REF http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1263.html REF http://secunia.com/advisories/50635 REF http://secunia.com/advisories/50718 REF http://secunia.com/advisories/50859 REF http://secunia.com/advisories/50946 REF http://www.debian.org/security/2012/dsa-2534 REF http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2012:139 REF http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.3/static/release-8-3-20.html REF http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/release-8-4-13.html REF http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.0/static/release-9-0-9.html REF http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/release-9-1-5.html REF http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/55074 REF http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1542-1 REF https://blogs.oracle.com/sunsecurity/entry/multiple_vulnerabilities_in_postgresql2

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