Updated PostgreSQL packages fix security issues and bugs

Updated PostgreSQL packages are available for Red Hat Linux 7.3 and 8.0.
These packages correct several security and other bugs. A separate
advisory deals with updated PostgreSQL packages for Red Hat Linux 6.2, 7,
7.1, and 7.2.

PostgreSQL is an advanced Object-Relational database management system.
Red Hat Linux 7.3 shipped with PostgreSQL version 7.2.1. Red Hat Linux 8.0
shipped with PostgreSQL version 7.2.2.

PostgreSQL versions 7.2.1 and 7.2.2 contain a serious issue with the VACUUM
command when it is run by a non-superuser. It is possible for the system
to prematurely remove old transaction log data (pg_clog files), which can
result in unrecoverable data loss.

A number of minor security issues affect the PostgreSQL 7.2.1 packages
shipped with Red Hat Linux 7.3 only:

1. Buffer overflows in PostgreSQL 7.2 allow attackers to cause a denial of
service and possibly execute arbitrary code via long arguments to the lpad
or rpad functions. CAN-2002-0972

2. Buffer overflow in the cash_words() function allows local users to cause
a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a malformed
argument. CAN-2002-1397

3. Buffer overflow in the date parser allows attackers to cause a denial of
service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long date string, also
known as a vulnerability "in handling long datetime input." CAN-2002-1398

4. Heap-based buffer overflow in the repeat() function allows attackers to
execute arbitrary code by causing repeat() to generate a large string.
CAN-2002-1400

5. Buffer overflows in the TZ and SET TIME ZONE enivronment variables allow
local users to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary
code. CAN-2002-1402

Additionally, buffer overflows in circle_poly, path_encode and path_add
allow attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary
code. Note that these overflows have been fixed in our erratum packages and
in PostgreSQL CVS, but are not fixed in the released versions of PostgreSQL
version 7.2.3. CAN-2002-1401

The above vulnerabilities are only critical on open or shared systems
because connecting to the database is required before the vulnerabilities
can be exploited.

This update also contains fixes for several other PostgreSQL bugs,
including handling of pre-1970 date values in newer versions of glibc,
possible server shutdown hangs, spinlock hangs on SMP PPC machines, and
pg_dump improperly dumping with the FULL JOIN USING clauses.

All users of PostgreSQL should upgrade to these errata packages containing
PostgreSQL 7.2.3 with additional patches to correct all these issues. Note
that running initdb is not necessary when upgrading from 7.2.1 or 7.2.2 to
the packages contained in this errata.

Before applying this update, make sure all previously released errata
relevant to your system have been applied.

To update all RPMs for your particular architecture, run:

rpm -Fvh [filenames]

where [filenames] is a list of the RPMs you wish to upgrade. Only those
RPMs which are currently installed will be updated. Those RPMs which are
not installed but included in the list will not be updated. Note that you
can also use wildcards (*.rpm) if your current directory *only* contains
the desired RPMs.

Please note that this update is also available via Red Hat Network. Many
people find this an easier way to apply updates. To use Red Hat Network,
launch the Red Hat Update Agent with the following command:

up2date

This will start an interactive process that will result in the appropriate
RPMs being upgraded on your system.

https://www.redhat.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2002-0972.html
https://www.redhat.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2002-1397.html
https://www.redhat.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2002-1398.html
https://www.redhat.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2002-1400.html
https://www.redhat.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2002-1401.html
https://www.redhat.com/security/data/cve/CVE-2002-1402.html
http://www3.ca.postgresql.org/users-lounge/docs/7.3/postgres/release-7-2-3.html

PostgreSQL, pre-1970, spinlock, VACUUM