A severe remote code execution (RCE) flaw has been uncovered in pgAdmin4, the popular open-source interface for PostgreSQL databases.
The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-12762, affects versions up to 9.9 and could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the hosting server. If exploited, the flaw potentially compromises entire database infrastructures running on the affected server.
Root Cause and Impact
The security issue stems from the improper handling of code injection during server mode restores from PLAIN format dump files. These files are commonly used for backing up and migrating PostgreSQL data. When pgAdmin processes these files, it fails to adequately sanitize the inputs. This lapse allows malicious code to be injected into the server command being executed.
The pgAdmin development team swiftly addressed the problem in version 10.0. Users running affected setups in server mode, which is common in enterprise environments, face immediate risks, particularly if they handle untrusted dumps from external sources. The flaw highlights a broader concern that database tools often bypass strict validation during restore functions.
Organizations should prioritize upgrading to pgAdmin 10.0 or later immediately. Security professionals also recommend disabling PLAIN format restores if possible and auditing all access controls. Since PostgreSQL powers countless applications globally, this RCE serves as a critical warning for organizations to ensure rigorous input sanitization in all DevOps pipelines.
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