Bug 2538373 (CVE-2026-61781)

Summary: CVE-2026-61781 pg_partman: privilege escalation through SQL injection in create_partition_time()
Product: [Other] Security Response Reporter: OSIDB Bzimport <bzimport>
Component: vulnerabilityAssignee: Product Security <prodsec-ir-bot>
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Priority: urgent    
Version: unspecifiedKeywords: Security
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OS: Linux   
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A flaw was found in pg_partman. A low-privileged database user with specific INSERT and UPDATE permissions can exploit a SQL injection issue in the create_partition_time function. This allows the user to store malicious SQL code, which is later executed with superuser privileges by the pg_partman_bgw background worker. This can lead to privilege escalation, enabling a complete compromise of the database and potential execution of operating-system commands as the PostgreSQL service account.
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Bug Depends On: 2540731    
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Description OSIDB Bzimport 2026-09-22 18:20:35 UTC 
pg_partman is a PostgreSQL extension that manages partitioned tables by time or ID. Prior to 5.5.0, create_partition_time() reads the writable part_config.time_encoder text value and interpolates it without identifier quoting into a dynamically executed SELECT statement. A role with the documented partman_user INSERT and UPDATE privileges can store SQL rather than a function name. When pg_partman_bgw later creates a child partition for a text- or UUID-keyed set, the worker executes the stored SQL with pg_partman_bgw.role privileges, which default to PostgreSQL superuser. The persistent configuration row can repeatedly restore elevated access on later maintenance ticks, and successful exploitation can permit database-wide compromise and operating-system command execution as the PostgreSQL service account. This issue is fixed in version 5.5.0.