CVE-2026-16238: PostgreSQL type confusion in pg_restore_attribute_stats() executes arbitrary code

Severity: high (CVSS 8.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.4% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-08-13 · updated 2026-08-29
Weakness: CWE-843

Description

Type confusion in PostgreSQL pg_restore_attribute_stats() allows an object creator to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database, via conflation of range and multirange values. Within major version 18, minor versions before PostgreSQL 18.6 are affected. Versions before PostgreSQL 18 are unaffected.

Affected products

PostgreSQL: from 14.0 before 14.24; from 15.0 before 15.19; from 16.0 before 16.15; from 17.0 before 17.11; from 18.0 before 18.5 — fixed in 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11, 18.5

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: PostgreSQL 14.24, 15.19, 16.15, 17.11. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-16238/

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