Critical pgAdmin Vulnerability Exposes PostgreSQL Servers to Remote Shell Command Execution

A significant security flaw has been recently uncovered in pgAdmin 4, the widely used open-source administration and development platform for PostgreSQL. This critical vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-13780, presents a severe risk, potentially allowing attackers to bypass existing security filters and execute arbitrary shell commands directly on the host server. For organizations relying on pgAdmin to manage their PostgreSQL databases, understanding and addressing this threat is paramount.

The core of this issue lies within pgAdmin’s plain-text restore feature. Specifically, the application failed to adequately block dangerous commands hidden within the restore data, creating an exploitable vector for malicious actors. This oversight could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and disruption of critical services.

Understanding CVE-2025-13780: How the Attack Works

The vulnerability in pgAdmin 4 stems from its handling of the plain-text restore functionality. When restoring a database from a plain-text backup file, pgAdmin is designed to execute commands to rebuild the database schema and data. However, the security filters intended to sanitize or block potentially harmful commands embedded within these backup files were bypassed. Attackers can craft a malicious plain-text restore file containing arbitrary shell commands. When an unsuspecting administrator or automated process initiates a restore operation using this tampered file, the embedded commands are executed with the privileges of the pgAdmin process on the underlying host server.

This “command injection” type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages a legitimate application function for an illegitimate purpose. The attacker doesn’t need to exploit a separate software bug; they simply need to trick pgAdmin into executing their code during a seemingly innocuous restore operation.

Impact of Exploitation

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-13780 can have far-reaching consequences:

• Remote Code Execution (RCE): The primary and most severe impact is the ability for an attacker to execute any command on the server where pgAdmin is running. This grants an attacker significant control over the host system.
• Data Exfiltration: Attackers can access and steal sensitive data stored on the server, including other databases, configuration files, and user credentials.
• System Compromise: With RCE, an attacker can install malware, create new user accounts, modify system configurations, or even establish persistent backdoors for future access.
• Service Disruption: Malicious commands could lead to the deletion of critical files, shutdown of services, or complete system incapacitation.
• Lateral Movement: A compromised pgAdmin host can serve as a jumping-off point for attackers to pivot to other systems within the network.

Remediation Actions

Immediate action is required to mitigate the risks associated with this critical pgAdmin vulnerability:

• Upgrade pgAdmin 4 Immediately: The most crucial step is to upgrade your pgAdmin 4 installation to a patched version that addresses CVE-2025-13780. Consult the official pgAdmin project documentation for the latest secure releases.
• Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure that the user account running the pgAdmin service operates with the absolute minimum necessary privileges. This limits the potential damage an attacker can inflict if they successfully exploit the vulnerability.
• Restrict Network Access: Limit network access to pgAdmin instances. It should not be exposed directly to the public internet. Use firewalls, VPNs, or internal networks to restrict access only to authorized administrators.
• Regular Backup Verification: While this vulnerability primarily affects the restore process, regularly verify the integrity and security of your database backups. Understand what commands are executed during your restore procedures.
• Security Audits and Monitoring: Implement robust logging and monitoring for your pgAdmin instances and the underlying servers. Look for unusual process executions, failed login attempts, or unexpected network connections.
• Input Validation Best Practices: For developers and administrators handling database operations, always ensure stringent input validation for any data being processed by database tools or scripts, especially when dealing with commands or file paths.

Tools for Detection and Mitigation

While direct detection tools for this specific vulnerability might require custom scripting, a robust security posture relies on a combination of established tools:

Tool Name	Purpose	Link
Nessus / OpenVAS	Vulnerability scanning for identifying outdated software and known CVEs.	Nessus OpenVAS
OSSEC / Wazuh	Host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) for monitoring file integrity, system calls, and suspicious activity.	OSSEC Wazuh
Firewall (e.g., iptables, UFW)	Network access control and port filtering to restrict access to pgAdmin services.	Netfilter (iptables) UFW (Ubuntu)
Snyk / Dependabot	Dependency scanning for open-source projects to detect known vulnerabilities in software components.	Snyk Dependabot

Conclusion

The discovery of CVE-2025-13780 in pgAdmin 4 underscores the continuous need for vigilance in managing open-source tools. This critical vulnerability allows attackers to execute shell commands directly on the host, making timely patching and adherence to security best practices absolutely essential. Database administrators and IT security teams must prioritize upgrading their pgAdmin installations and implementing robust security controls to safeguard their PostgreSQL environments from potential compromise.