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pghoney (betheroot)

Status: Informative · evaluation proof
Upstream: https://github.com/betheroot/pghoney · GitHub last push 2024-05-20
Runtime: lab image pghoney:uhbs-lab (modern Go rebuild; HPFeeds disabled)

Low-interaction Postgres honeypot. Graded with the UHBS postgres plugin (sticky_elephant not needed).

What this decoy is

Low-interaction PostgreSQL decoy focused on auth/handshake capture.

Protocol survey

Surface UHBS plugin? Graded? Quick Full
Postgres yes (postgres) yes 43.72 / F 43.61 / F

Named product is evaluation proof only — not a UHBS endorsement.

For CTI analysts

  • Tracks database credential guessing and Postgres protocol scanners (startup/SSLRequest patterns).
  • Limited post-auth realism — treat as a DB auth sensor for CTI, not a full query-interaction trap.

Primary signals you can expect (when logging is wired): Postgres StartupMessage / auth failures, client driver fingerprints when logged.

For blue teams / detection engineering

  • Useful on “fake DB” VLANs adjacent to real data tiers to catch lateral-movement credential stuffing.
  • Monitor for SSLRequest vs cleartext startup mixes as environment fingerprinting.
  • Ensure no route from honeypot to real Postgres; poison credentials only.

Trust & limitations

  • This page is evaluation proof under UHBS 4.2.2 — not a certification or vendor ranking.
  • Prefer full/ artifacts over quick/ for operational decisions.
  • Re-run via TUTORIAL.md; environment notes in METHODOLOGY.md.
  • How to read modules: READING-UHQS.md