CVE-2025-12763 is a command injection vulnerability identified in pgAdmin 4, a popular open-source administration and development platform for PostgreSQL databases. The vulnerability specifically affects versions up to 9.9 running on Windows systems. The root cause is 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, which are executed by the underlying Windows shell. Exploitation requires the attacker to have high privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R), meaning the attacker must be authenticated and trick a user into performing an action that triggers the vulnerability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.8, reflecting medium severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). This vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command). No patches or fixes have been published at the time of disclosure, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where pgAdmin 4 is used on Windows, especially in enterprise settings where database backups and restores are routine and critical operations. Attackers exploiting this flaw could execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or service disruption.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized data access, data corruption, or denial of service on critical database management systems. Organizations relying on pgAdmin 4 for PostgreSQL administration on Windows are at risk of attackers executing arbitrary commands with the privileges of the pgAdmin process, which may be elevated. This could compromise sensitive business data, disrupt operations, and lead to regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR. The requirement for authenticated access and user interaction reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or targeted attacks leveraging social engineering. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions in Europe that use PostgreSQL and pgAdmin 4 could face operational disruptions and reputational damage if exploited. The lack of available patches increases the urgency for interim mitigations to protect systems until official fixes are released.

1. Immediately restrict pgAdmin 4 usage on Windows systems to trusted administrators only and enforce least privilege principles. 2. Avoid running backup and restore operations with elevated privileges or on systems exposed to untrusted users. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization for file paths used in backup and restore workflows, ensuring special characters and shell metacharacters are neutralized. 4. Monitor and audit backup and restore activities for unusual or unauthorized commands or file paths. 5. Consider isolating pgAdmin 4 instances in hardened environments or containers to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of social engineering that could trigger this vulnerability. 7. Stay alert for official patches or updates from pgadmin.org and apply them promptly once available. 8. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect suspicious command execution patterns related to this vulnerability. 9. If feasible, temporarily switch to alternative PostgreSQL management tools that do not exhibit this vulnerability until patched.