Overview
A critical vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-12763, has been discovered in pgAdmin 4 versions up to 9.9 when running on Windows systems. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary system commands due to a command injection flaw during backup and restore operations. Users of pgAdmin 4 on Windows are strongly advised to upgrade to a patched version as soon as possible.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from the use of shell=True when invoking system commands during backup and restore processes. This configuration, while sometimes convenient, introduces a significant security risk because it allows the shell to interpret special characters and execute arbitrary commands embedded within the input. Specifically, attackers can craft malicious file paths that, when processed by pgAdmin 4 during a backup or restore operation, will execute unintended system commands with the privileges of the user running pgAdmin 4. The vulnerable code exists in the routines responsible for handling file paths related to database backups and restores.
For example, a specially crafted file path like "C:\path\to\backup; calc.exe" could trigger the execution of the calc.exe program alongside the intended backup command.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score for CVE-2025-12763 is 6.8, indicating a MEDIUM severity vulnerability. The CVSS vector reflects the following:
- Attack Vector (AV): Local
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low
- Privileges Required (PR): Low
- User Interaction (UI): Required
- Scope (S): Changed
- Confidentiality Impact (C): High
- Integrity Impact (I): High
- Availability Impact (A): High
This score highlights the significant impact the vulnerability can have, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control of the affected system.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-12763 can lead to severe consequences, including:
- Arbitrary Code Execution: Attackers can execute any command on the affected system, potentially installing malware, stealing sensitive data, or disrupting critical services.
- Data Breach: Attackers could gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information, leading to data breaches and privacy violations.
- System Compromise: Complete control over the affected system, allowing attackers to perform any action with the privileges of the user running pgAdmin 4.
- Denial of Service (DoS): Attackers could crash or disable the system, preventing legitimate users from accessing pgAdmin 4 and the associated databases.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-12763, the following steps are recommended:
- Upgrade pgAdmin 4: Upgrade to the latest version of pgAdmin 4 that includes the fix for this vulnerability. Check the pgAdmin website for the latest releases and installation instructions.
- Workaround (If Upgrade Not Immediately Possible): If immediate upgrade is not possible, avoid using backup and restore functions with untrusted file paths on Windows systems. Sanitize any user-provided file paths to remove potentially harmful characters before using them in backup/restore operations. However, this workaround is not a substitute for patching and is strongly discouraged.
- Review Security Policies: Ensure that your organization’s security policies address the risks associated with command injection vulnerabilities and the importance of timely patching.
- Monitor Systems: Implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation attempts.