CVE-2026-120143 PostgreSQL transition-table cursor use-after-free executes arbitrary code
An object creator can execute code as the database OS user via a cursor over a PostgreSQL transition table in trigger functions.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Harmful if only installed
- No
- Needs a specific call
- No
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-120143?
CVE-2026-120143 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in PostgreSQL, published on 12 Nov 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Use after free in PostgreSQL trigger functions allows an object creator to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database, via a cursor over a transition table. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.7, 17.12, 16.16, 15.20, and 14.25 are affected.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-120143?
An affected version is exposed as installed. No special setting or call is needed.
How do I fix CVE-2026-120143?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-120143 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-120143 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2026-120143, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-120143, ECHO-6923-a61b-d02a, GHSA-x9hr-cq8v-94x6.