CVE-2025-12763 identifies a command injection vulnerability in pgAdmin 4, a widely used graphical management tool for PostgreSQL databases. The flaw exists in versions up to 9.9 on Windows platforms and is caused by the use of the Python subprocess module with shell=True during backup and restore operations. This practice allows an attacker to inject arbitrary system commands by supplying specially crafted file path inputs. Because the backup and restore functions typically require elevated privileges and user interaction, exploitation is not trivial but remains feasible in scenarios where an attacker can influence file paths or trick users into initiating operations with malicious inputs. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the pgAdmin process, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host system and database data. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.8, reflecting medium severity due to the need for high privileges and user interaction but with high impact on all security properties. No public exploits or active exploitation have been reported to date. The vulnerability was published on November 13, 2025, and no official patches or mitigations have been linked yet, highlighting the need for immediate attention from administrators. This issue underscores the risks of unsafe subprocess invocation patterns in software handling critical database operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-12763 can be significant, especially for those relying on pgAdmin 4 on Windows to manage PostgreSQL databases. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on database management hosts, leading to data breaches, unauthorized data modification, or service disruption. This could affect confidentiality by exposing sensitive database contents, integrity by altering or corrupting data, and availability by disrupting database services or the host system. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that depend heavily on PostgreSQL and pgAdmin for database administration are at higher risk. The requirement for high privileges and user interaction somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, particularly in environments with less stringent access controls or where social engineering is feasible. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but should not lead to complacency, as attackers may develop exploits given the medium severity and potential impact.

1. Upgrade pgAdmin 4 to a version beyond 9.9 once an official patch addressing CVE-2025-12763 is released. 2. Until patches are available, restrict backup and restore operations to trusted administrators only, minimizing the risk of malicious input. 3. Avoid running pgAdmin 4 with elevated privileges on Windows systems to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 4. Implement input validation or sanitization on file path inputs used during backup and restore processes if custom scripts or wrappers are used. 5. Monitor system logs and command execution traces for unusual or unexpected commands originating from pgAdmin processes. 6. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect and block suspicious command execution attempts. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of executing backup/restore operations with untrusted inputs and the importance of verifying file paths. 8. Consider isolating pgAdmin 4 instances in hardened environments or containers to limit lateral movement if compromised.