Description
pgAdmin 4 Vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) via Query Result Rendering
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-9604
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The EUVD entry EUVD-2025-9604 describes a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in pgAdmin 4, specifically affecting the rendering of query results. The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.1, which is considered critical. The CVSS vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:H indicates the following:
- Attack Vector (AV:N): The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC:L): The attack is of low complexity, requiring minimal skill or resources.
- Privileges Required (PR:L): The attacker needs low-level privileges to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction (UI:N): No user interaction is required for the attack to succeed.
- Scope (S:C): The vulnerability affects a component that is outside the security scope of the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality (C:L): There is a low impact on the confidentiality of the data.
- Integrity (I:L): There is a low impact on the integrity of the data.
- Availability (A:H): There is a high impact on the availability of the system.
Given these metrics, the vulnerability is severe and poses a significant risk to systems running pgAdmin 4.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The XSS vulnerability in pgAdmin 4 can be exploited through the following methods:
- Injecting Malicious Scripts: An attacker can inject malicious scripts into the query results, which are then rendered by the pgAdmin 4 interface.
- Stored XSS: If the malicious script is stored in the database, it can be executed whenever the query results are viewed.
- Reflected XSS: The attacker can craft a URL that includes the malicious script, which is then executed when the URL is accessed.
Exploitation can lead to:
- Session Hijacking: The attacker can steal session cookies and impersonate users.
- Data Theft: Sensitive information can be exfiltrated.
- Defacement: The attacker can alter the content displayed to users.
- Phishing: The attacker can present fake login forms to steal credentials.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects pgAdmin 4 versions prior to 9.2. Organizations using these versions are at risk and should prioritize updating to a patched version.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, the following steps should be taken:
- Update Software: Immediately update pgAdmin 4 to version 9.2 or later, which includes the fix for this vulnerability.
- Input Validation: Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user inputs to prevent malicious scripts from being injected.
- Content Security Policy (CSP): Use CSP headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address similar issues.
- User Education: Educate users about the risks of XSS and how to recognize and avoid potential attacks.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability in pgAdmin 4, a widely used administration tool for PostgreSQL databases, poses a significant risk to European organizations. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability, it could lead to data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage. The European Union's emphasis on data protection and privacy, as outlined in the GDPR, underscores the importance of addressing such vulnerabilities promptly.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
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Vulnerability Identification: The vulnerability is identified by CVE-2025-2946 and EUVD-2025-9604.
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References:
- GitHub Issue: pgadmin-org/pgadmin4/issues/8602
- NVD Entry: CVE-2025-2946
- GitHub Commit: pgadmin-org/pgadmin4/commit/1305d9910beefd0d6b4c7eb4f111f86edb1d356b
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Technical Mitigation:
- Code Review: Conduct a thorough code review to ensure that all input handling and output rendering are secure.
- Patch Management: Implement a robust patch management process to ensure timely updates and patches are applied.
- Monitoring: Use security monitoring tools to detect and respond to any suspicious activities related to XSS attacks.
In conclusion, the XSS vulnerability in pgAdmin 4 is critical and requires immediate attention. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version and implementing additional security measures to protect against potential exploits.