CVE-2026-6478 — Scram-Sha-256 Passwords, The Default In All Supported Releas Vulnerability

title: PostgreSQL Authentication Bypass via MD5 Hash Timing Attack — CVE-2026-6478
id: scw-2026-05-14-ai-1
status: experimental
level: critical
description: |
  Detects attempts to exploit CVE-2026-6478 by leveraging a timing channel in the comparison of MD5-hashed passwords in PostgreSQL. This rule specifically looks for suspicious command-line arguments often associated with such exploits targeting older PostgreSQL versions still using MD5 hashing.
author: SCW Feed Engine (AI-generated)
date: 2026-05-14
references:
  - https://shimiscyberworld.com/posts/nvd-CVE-2026-6478/
tags:
  - attack.initial_access
  - attack.t1190
logsource:
    category: authentication
detection:
  selection:
      Image|startswith:
          - 'postgres.exe'
      ParentImage|startswith:
          - 'cmd.exe'
          - 'powershell.exe'
      CommandLine|contains:
          - 'pg_md5_hash_timing_attack'
      condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrative activity

Source: Shimi's Cyber World · License & reuse