CVE-2025-13780 is a critical vulnerability identified in pgAdmin 4, a widely used open-source administration and management tool for PostgreSQL databases. The vulnerability exists in versions up to 9.10 when pgAdmin is operated in server mode and a database restore is performed using PLAIN-format dump files. The root cause is improper handling of these restore operations, which allows an attacker with limited privileges on the pgAdmin server to inject arbitrary code that is executed on the underlying operating system. This is classified under CWE-94, indicating that the vulnerability arises from improper control over code generation or execution. The flaw enables Remote Code Execution (RCE), which can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the database and the host system. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.1 reflects the high severity, with an attack vector over the network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and scope change (S:C). The impact on confidentiality is high, integrity is low, and availability is low, indicating that attackers can gain significant unauthorized access but may have limited ability to disrupt availability directly. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability's nature and severity make it a prime target for exploitation once weaponized. Organizations using pgAdmin 4 in server mode should consider this a critical risk, especially when restoring databases from untrusted or external dump files.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-13780 is substantial. Many enterprises, public sector entities, and research institutions rely on PostgreSQL databases managed via pgAdmin 4, particularly in server mode for centralized administration. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized command execution on database servers, resulting in data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, or lateral movement within networks. This threatens the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data, including personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property, and critical infrastructure information. The ability to execute arbitrary commands could also enable attackers to deploy ransomware or other malware, causing operational disruptions. Given the critical role of databases in business continuity and regulatory compliance, the vulnerability poses a high risk to European organizations’ security posture and compliance status. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the risk of rapid exploitation once exploits emerge is high.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13780, European organizations should: 1) Immediately upgrade pgAdmin 4 to a patched version once available; until then, avoid using server mode for restores from PLAIN-format dump files or restrict restore operations to trusted administrators only. 2) Implement strict access controls and role-based permissions on pgAdmin servers to limit who can perform restore operations. 3) Validate and sanitize all dump files before restoration, ensuring they originate from trusted sources. 4) Monitor logs for unusual restore activities or command executions linked to pgAdmin processes. 5) Employ network segmentation to isolate database management servers from general user networks, reducing exposure. 6) Use application-layer firewalls or intrusion detection systems to detect anomalous commands or payloads targeting pgAdmin. 7) Educate database administrators about the risks of restoring untrusted dump files and enforce policies accordingly. 8) Consider disabling server mode if not strictly necessary or use alternative management tools with less exposure. These targeted steps go beyond generic patching advice and focus on reducing attack surface and early detection.