CVE-2025-60797 identifies a critical SQL injection vulnerability in phpPgAdmin, a popular web-based administration tool for PostgreSQL databases. The vulnerability exists in the dataexport.php file at line 118, where the application directly executes SQL queries provided by users through the $_REQUEST['query'] parameter without any form of sanitization or use of prepared statements. This insecure coding practice allows an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands, which the backend PostgreSQL database executes with the privileges of the phpPgAdmin database user. The consequences of exploitation include unauthorized data access, data modification, deletion, or even privilege escalation within the database system. Since phpPgAdmin is often used to manage critical database infrastructure, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's nature makes it highly exploitable by any authenticated user with access to the vulnerable interface. The lack of a CVSS score means severity must be inferred from the technical details: the vulnerability requires authentication but no user interaction beyond submitting crafted SQL queries. The scope is limited to systems running vulnerable phpPgAdmin versions, but these systems often manage sensitive data, increasing the impact. The vulnerability was reserved in late September 2025 and published in November 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. No patches or mitigations are currently linked, emphasizing the need for immediate defensive measures.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be severe. Many enterprises, government agencies, and service providers in Europe rely on PostgreSQL databases managed via phpPgAdmin for critical applications. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could alter or delete data, disrupting business operations or causing financial losses. Privilege escalation within the database could allow attackers to pivot to other internal systems, increasing the attack surface. The vulnerability's requirement for authentication limits exposure but does not eliminate risk, as attackers may leverage stolen credentials or exploit weak authentication mechanisms. Organizations with web-facing phpPgAdmin instances are particularly vulnerable to remote exploitation. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the critical nature of the flaw demands swift action to prevent potential breaches.

1. Immediately restrict access to phpPgAdmin interfaces to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce exposure. 2. Implement strong authentication controls, including multi-factor authentication, to prevent unauthorized access. 3. Monitor and audit phpPgAdmin access logs for suspicious activity indicative of SQL injection attempts. 4. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the dataexport.php functionality or the entire phpPgAdmin tool if feasible. 5. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the $_REQUEST['query'] parameter. 6. Review and harden database user privileges associated with phpPgAdmin to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. 7. Once patches become available, apply them promptly and verify that input sanitization and parameterized queries are enforced. 8. Educate administrators about the risks of executing arbitrary SQL queries through management tools and enforce least privilege principles. 9. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests focusing on database management interfaces. 10. Maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any detected exploitation attempts.