CVE-2026-116320 PostgreSQL plperl array and hash conversion use-after-free executes arbitrary code

This vulnerability is rated as an Important severity rather than Critical because exploitation requires valid database authentication and the capability to create or execute PL/Perl procedures, though successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution as the database server process owner. In default Red Hat Enterprise Linux installations, the PL/Perl procedural language is packaged separately and is not enabled by default. Consequently, environments are only exposed if this optional extension has been explicitly installed and untrusted users have permission to define or run PL/Perl routines.

Remove the optional PL/Perl package if procedural Perl functions are not required, or restrict language usage permissions to trusted administrators only.

To remove the optional package:

# dnf remove postgresql-plperl

Alternatively, revoke usage of the PL/Perl languages from untrusted database users:

REVOKE USAGE ON LANGUAGE plperl FROM PUBLIC;

REVOKE USAGE ON LANGUAGE plperlu FROM PUBLIC;

Caveats: Removing the package or revoking language permissions will cause stored procedures and application queries dependent on PL/Perl to fail.

Warning: Existing active database sessions that have already loaded the plperl shared object must be terminated, or the PostgreSQL service restarted, for the removal to take effect across all sessions.