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Security for the PostgreSQL server running under Cygwin: msg#00032

Subject: Security for the PostgreSQL server running under Cygwin
Dear PostgreSQL/Cygwin Folks,

In the file doc/FAQ_MSWIN I found the following comment:

1.  Cygwin's AF_UNIX sockets are really implemented as AF_INET sockets
    so they are inherently insecure.

I am attempting to get a clearer idea of just how and in what ways the PostgreSQL server is insecure when running under Cygwin. I have been unable to find any documentation on Cygwin's implementation of UNIX domain sockets or on the implications of the implementation for security in general or for the security of the PostgreSQL server. If you can point me toward any materials that would help me in understanding these issues I would appreciate it very much.

In order to be more concrete, I am including some more specific questions. If you have the time to answer these questions that would be great, but any resources that you could point me toward would be very much appreciated.

1. Is the server vulnerable to external attack (for example, from a
   LAN) or does the vulnerability concern only users who are logged
   onto the local system?

2. What steps can be taken to reduce vulnerabilities and what are
   their specific benefits?  For example, is it possible to identify
   particular ports that Cygwin uses when emulating UNIX domain
   sockets, and to restrict access to them?  If this is done, what
   vulnerabilities would be eliminated and what vulnerabilities would
   remain?

Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide.

Sincerely,
David E. Sigeti

---
Dr. David E. Sigeti
Phone:  505-667-9239
E-mail: sigeti@xxxxxxxx
Surface mail: MS-F645, Los Alamos National Laboratory,
              Los Alamos, NM  87545   USA


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