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major vulnerability· requires attention

RCE in widely used PostgreSQL via built-in fuzzystrmatch; can lead to OS-level code execution and enterprise disruption.

Systems

CVE-2026-15742

8.8
High
EPSS 0.44%Patch availableAug 13, 2026

Integer wrap in PostgreSQL fuzzystrmatch enables arbitrary code execution via levenshtein()

triage
server-sideruntimeWAF · ineffectiveAV · networkCWE-190· Integer Overflow

WAF coverage: Integer overflow.

Also consider: patch

cvss vector
attack vectornetworkattack complexitylowprivileges requiredlowuser interactionnonescopeunchangedconfidentialityhighintegrityhighavailabilityhigh
CVSS 3.1 · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
common questions

Is CVE-2026-15742 being exploited?

Not confirmed. CVE-2026-15742 does not appear in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which records only exploitation that has been observed and reported publicly. That is evidence of absence of a report, not evidence the flaw is unattacked. EPSS currently estimates a 0.44% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How severe is CVE-2026-15742?

CVE-2026-15742 is rated High with a CVSS score of 8.8. Severity describes how bad exploitation would be, not how likely it is: pair it with exploitation evidence before deciding what to patch first.

Is there a patch for CVE-2026-15742?

Yes. A fix has been recorded for CVE-2026-15742. The vendor advisory is the authority on the exact fixed version — apply it from there rather than from a summary.

What does CVE-2026-15742 affect?

CVE-2026-15742 affects PostgreSQL versions before 18.5, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, 14.24, fuzzystrmatch extension: levenshtein() and levenshtein_less_equal(). Confirm the exact affected versions against the vendor advisory before deciding you are exposed.

What should I do about CVE-2026-15742?

Upgrade to listed fixed PostgreSQL versions; disable fuzzystrmatch or restrict DB access until patched.

Exploitation status reflects CISA's KEV catalog as we last synced it. Check the catalog directly.

executive summary
technical analysis
affected
PostgreSQL versions before 18.5, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, 14.24fuzzystrmatch extension: levenshtein() and levenshtein_less_equal()
impact

Crafted inputs to levenshtein() trigger integer wrap allowing arbitrary memory writes and code execution as the DB server OS user.

action required

Immediate action required

affected versions
PostgreSQL
  • affected>= 18 and < 18.6
  • affected>= 17 and < 17.11
  • affected>= 16 and < 16.15
  • affected>= 15 and < 15.19
  • affected< 14.24

As published in the CVE Program record. A version outside these ranges is not a statement that it is unaffected — vendors sometimes understate a range, and distribution-backported builds carry upstream numbers that do not reflect what was patched into them.

how to fix
Remediation steps are tailored for users whose stack is affected. Add this technology to your stack to see the fix checklist.
references
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