PostgreSQL psql \unrestrict lets superuser of pg_dump origin server execute arbitrary code in psql client

MITRE NVD CVE.ORG JSON API

Summary

CVECVE-2026-18408
StatePUBLISHED
AssignerPostgreSQL
Source PriorityCVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback
Published2026-08-13 13:17:48 UTC
Updated2026-08-19 15:00:53 UTC
DescriptionUntrusted data inclusion in pg_dump in PostgreSQL allows a malicious superuser of the origin server to inject arbitrary code for restore-time execution as the client operating system account running psql to restore the dump, via psql \restrict meta-command input expansion. The fix for CVE-2025-8714 introduced \restrict and \unrestrict to block this attack, but \unrestrict itself was sufficient for an attack. pg_dumpall is also affected. pg_restore is affected when used to generate a plain-format dump. Non-core use of \restrict would be affected, but we've not identified non-core use. Versions before PostgreSQL 18.5, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, and 14.24 are affected.

Risk And Classification

Primary CVSS: v3.1 8.8 HIGH from f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS: 0.005270000 probability, percentile 0.421780000 (date 2026-08-18)

Problem Types: CWE-829 | CWE-829 Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere

VersionSourceTypeScoreSeverityVector
3.1f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007Secondary8.8HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
3.1CNACVSS8.8HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS v3.1 Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

NVD Known Affected Configurations (CPE 2.3)

TypeVendorProductVersionUpdateEditionLanguage
Application Postgresql Postgresql All All All All

Vendor Declared Affected Products

SourceVendorProductVersionPlatforms
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 18 18.5 rpm Not specified
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 17 17.11 rpm Not specified
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 16 16.15 rpm Not specified
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 15 15.19 rpm Not specified
CNA Na PostgreSQL affected 14.24 rpm Not specified

References

ReferenceSourceLinkTags
www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-18408 f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007 www.postgresql.org Vendor Advisory
CVE Program record CVE.ORG www.cve.org canonical
NVD vulnerability detail NVD nvd.nist.gov canonical, analysis

Vendor Comments And Credit

Discovery Credit

CNA: The PostgreSQL project thanks Lucas Velgus, Filip Janus, and Daniel Bakker for reporting this problem. (en)

Additional Advisory Data

Workarounds

CNA: use "pg_restore --dbname" instead of restore methods that involve "psql"

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