Skip to main content
Press slash or control plus K to focus the search. Use the arrow keys to navigate results and press enter to open a threat.
Reconnecting to live updates…
EPSS 0.7%top 50%

CVE-2026-12044: CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') in pgadmin.org pgAdmin 4

0
High
VulnerabilityCVE-2026-12044cvecve-2026-12044cwe-89cwe-116
Published: 06/18/2026 (06/18/2026, 23:37:16 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: pgadmin.org
Product: pgAdmin 4

Description

SQL injection in pgAdmin 4 across every dialog template that renders ``COMMENT ON ... IS '<description>'`` for a user-supplied description field. The Jinja templates for Domains (and their constraints), Foreign Tables, Languages, and Event Triggers, plus the Views OID-lookup query, interpolated the description directly inside a single-quoted SQL literal -- ``'{{ data.description }}'`` -- instead of passing it through the ``qtLiteral`` escape filter. An authenticated pgAdmin user with permission to create or alter the affected object types could submit a description containing an apostrophe, break out of the literal and chain arbitrary SQL. The injected SQL runs under the PostgreSQL role the user is already authenticated as; for a connected role with ``COPY ... TO/FROM PROGRAM`` (typically PostgreSQL superuser), this chains to OS command execution on the PostgreSQL host. The defect does not cross a privilege boundary -- the user already has direct SQL access to that role through pgAdmin's Query Tool -- so the attacker gains no capability beyond what their database role already grants. The marginal impact captures bypass of any application-layer Query Tool gating an operator may have configured. The defect was originally reported against the Domain Dialog ``description`` field; a code-wide audit identified sixteen sites of the same pattern across the templates listed above. The same review also surfaced ten related sinks in the pgstattuple/pgstatindex stats templates -- ``pgstattuple('{{schema}}.{{table}}')`` and the matching pgstatindex shape -- where ``qtIdent`` escapes embedded double quotes inside the identifier but not apostrophes, so a user with CREATE privilege on a schema could plant a table or index named ``foo'bar`` and a later stats viewer would render an unbalanced literal. Fix is layered: 1. Sites: replace every ``'{{ x.description }}'`` with ``{{ x.description|qtLiteral(conn) }}`` (no surrounding quotes -- the filter wraps the value in escaped quotes itself). Plumb ``conn=self.conn`` through every ``render_template`` call that loads one of these templates. Also corrects a ``{ % elif`` Jinja typo in the foreign-table schema diff (dead branch). Rewrite the ten pgstattuple/pgstatindex stats sites to address the relation via OID + ``::oid::regclass`` cast (e.g. ``pgstattuple({{ tid }}::oid::regclass)``), eliminating the embedded literal-call form entirely so that bug-class can no longer recur there. 2. Driver hardening: ``qtLiteral`` (in ``utils/driver/psycopg3/__init__.py``) used to silently return the raw unescaped value when its ``conn`` argument was falsy. It now raises ``ValueError`` -- surfacing the entire bug class going forward. The change immediately uncovered eight latent plumbing bugs (in ``schemas/__init__.py``, ``schemas/functions/__init__.py``, ``schemas/tables/utils.py``, ``foreign_servers/__init__.py``, and seven sites in ``roles/__init__.py``) -- all fixed as part of this patch. The inner ``except`` block that swallowed adapter-level failures and returned the raw value is also removed, so unadaptable inputs raise instead of leaking unescaped values. 3. Regression tests: a per-template behavioural test renders each previously-vulnerable template with an apostrophe-injection payload and asserts the escaped fragment is present and the vulnerable fragment absent; a lint test walks every ``*.sql`` template flagging any ``'{{ ... }}'`` single-quote-wrapped interpolation against an explicit allowlist; unit tests cover the new qtLiteral fail-fast and inner-except raise paths. This issue affects pgAdmin 4: from 1.0 before 9.16.

CVSS v3.1

Score 8.8high

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected software

GitHub Actionsmore threats →cve
pgAdmin 4
pkg:github/pgAdmin 4
Affected versions
>=1.0 <9.16

Run on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.

AI-Powered Analysis

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AILast updated: 06/26/2026, 19:15:59 UTC

Technical Analysis

This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands within pgAdmin 4's Jinja templates. Specifically, user-supplied descriptions are interpolated directly inside single-quoted SQL literals without using the proper escaping filter (qtLiteral). This allows an authenticated user with appropriate permissions to break out of the SQL literal and execute arbitrary SQL commands under their existing PostgreSQL role. The issue was found in multiple templates including Domains, Foreign Tables, Languages, Event Triggers, and Views OID-lookup queries. Additional related issues were found in pgstattuple/pgstatindex stats templates involving unescaped identifiers. The vulnerability does not elevate privileges beyond those of the authenticated user but can bypass application-layer query tool restrictions. The vendor has outlined a layered fix involving template changes, driver hardening, and regression tests, but no official patch or remediation level is confirmed in the advisory.

Potential Impact

An authenticated pgAdmin user with permission to create or alter affected object types can inject arbitrary SQL commands, which execute with the privileges of their PostgreSQL role. If the role has elevated privileges (e.g., superuser with COPY TO/FROM PROGRAM), this can lead to OS command execution on the PostgreSQL host. The vulnerability does not grant additional privileges beyond those already held by the user but can bypass application-layer query tool restrictions, potentially enabling unauthorized operations within the scope of the user's database role.

Mitigation Recommendations

Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. The vendor has described a layered fix involving proper escaping in templates, driver hardening to prevent silent failures in escaping, and regression tests. Until an official patch is released, users should restrict permissions to trusted users only and avoid using vulnerable versions. Monitor the vendor's official channels for updates and apply patches promptly once available.

Pro Console: star threats, build custom feeds, automate alerts via Slack, email & webhooks.Upgrade to Pro

Technical Details

Data Version
5.2
Assigner Short Name
PostgreSQL
Date Reserved
2026-06-11T20:40:05.751Z
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED
Remediation Level
null

Threat ID: 6a357432f198dc38c1bc0d2c

Added to database: 06/19/2026, 16:54:10 UTC

Last enriched: 06/26/2026, 19:15:59 UTC

Last updated: 08/01/2026, 19:17:58 UTC

Views: 59

Community Reviews

0 reviews

Crowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.

Sort by
Loading community insights…

Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.

Actions

PRO

Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.

Please log in to the Console to use AI analysis features.

Need more coverage?

Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.

For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.

Latest Threats

Breach by OffSeqOFFSEQFRIENDS — 25% OFF

Check if your credentials are on the dark web

Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.

Scan now
OffSeq TrainingCredly Certified

Lead Pen Test Professional

Technical5-day eLearningPECB Accredited
View courses