CVE-2026-16239: PostgreSQL type confusion in cursor CLOSE + DECLARE executes arbitrary code
- Is it exploited?
Not on CISA's list. CISA has not added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog as of . If CISA adds it, this page shows it as known exploited.
- How likely is exploitation in the next 30 days?
- 0.7%
EPSS score, percentile 52.5 of all scored records. A probability estimated by FIRST, not a report of exploitation.
- How severe?
- 8.8 High
CVSS v3.1 base score, given by the CNA
- What should I do?
CISA has set no required action, because the vulnerability is not in KEV.
The CVE record links no vendor advisory, patch or mitigation.
- Which versions are affected?
Affected
- from 18 to before 18.6
- from 17 to before 17.11
- from 16 to before 16.15
- from 15 to before 15.19
- before 14.24
Source: CISA KEV 2026.10.29, as of ; FIRST EPSS, as of ; CVE List, as of . About the data.
What to do
Advisories and patches
The CVE record links no vendor advisory, patch or mitigation.
This summary is based on the CVE record as of . Check the vendor's advisory before you act: affected versions and fixes can change.
Affected products and versions
As listed in the CVE record.
| Status | Versions |
|---|---|
| Affected | from 18 to before 18.6 |
| Affected | from 17 to before 17.11 |
| Affected | from 16 to before 16.15 |
| Affected | from 15 to before 15.19 |
| Affected | before 14.24 |
Versions not listed are: unaffected.
Source: CVE List, as of . About the data.
About this vulnerability
Type confusion in PostgreSQL "portal"/cursor lifecycle allows a user to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database, via re-creation of a cursor or other portal with different types. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.6, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, and 14.24 are affected.
Summary: CVE record, as of .
- CISA has not added CVE-2026-16239 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, as of 29 Oct 2026.
- The CVE record was published on 13 Aug 2026.
- The CVE record carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (High), given by its CNA.
- FIRST's EPSS model puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.7% (percentile 52.5), as of 29 Oct 2026. EPSS is a statistical estimate, not a report of exploitation.
- CISA's SSVC assessment in the CVE record: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- The credits in the CVE record name Anthropic (Claude) as finder.
Source: CISA KEV 2026.10.29, as of ; CVE List, as of ; FIRST EPSS, as of . About the data.
Description
PostgreSQL type confusion in cursor CLOSE + DECLARE executes arbitrary code
Type confusion in PostgreSQL "portal"/cursor lifecycle allows a user to execute arbitrary code as the operating system user running the database, via re-creation of a cursor or other portal with different types. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.6, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, and 14.24 are affected.
Source: CVE List, as of . About the data.
Weakness
CWE-843
CWE and CAPEC are maintained by MITRE; the entries are those named in the CVE record.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| CVE record published | |
| CVE record last updated |