CVE-2015-3166

Name: CVE-2015-3166
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-11-20T21:15:11.413+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 4.65%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2015-3166 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The snprintf implementation in PostgreSQL before 9.0.20, 9.1.x before 9.1.16, 9.2.x before 9.2.11, 9.3.x before 9.3.7, and 9.4.x before 9.4.2 does not properly handle system-call errors, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information or have other unspecified impact via unknown vectors, as demonstrated by an out-of-memory error.. EPSS estimates a 4.65% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The snprintf implementation in PostgreSQL before 9.0.20, 9.1.x before 9.1.16, 9.2.x before 9.2.11, 9.3.x before 9.3.7, and 9.4.x before 9.4.2 does not properly handle system-call errors, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information or have other unspecified impact via unknown vectors, as demonstrated by an out-of-memory error.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

4.65%

90.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-119

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Postgresql	Postgresql	< 9.0.20
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 9.1, < 9.1.16
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 9.2, < 9.2.11
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 9.3, < 9.3.7
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 9.4, < 9.4.2
Debian	Debian Linux	7.0
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	12.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.10
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	15.04

References

http://ubuntu.com/usn/usn-2621-1Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3269Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3270Third Party Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1587/Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.0/static/release-9-0-20.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/release-9-1-16.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.2/static/release-9-2-11.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.3/static/release-9-3-7.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.4/static/release-9-4-2.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://ubuntu.com/usn/usn-2621-1Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3269Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3270Third Party Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/about/news/1587/Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.0/static/release-9-0-20.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/release-9-1-16.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.2/static/release-9-2-11.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.3/static/release-9-3-7.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.4/static/release-9-4-2.htmlRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 20, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2015-3166?

How severe is CVE-2015-3166?

CVE-2015-3166 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.65% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2015-3166?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2015-3166?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST