pgAdmin 4: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
CVE-2024-3116 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in pgAdmin 4 from Pgadmin.org, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 8.5 as the first without the flaw, so updating pgAdmin 4 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 65.8% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.72% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Update pgAdmin 4 to 8.5 or a later version.
- Update pgadmin_4 to 8.5 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pgadmin.org | pgAdmin 4 | before 8.5 | 8.5 |
| PostgreSQL | pgadmin_4 | before 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Fedora Project | Fedora | 39 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.4 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
pgAdmin <= 8.4 is affected by a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability through the validate binary path API. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server hosting PGAdmin, posing a severe risk to the database management system's integrity and the security of the underlying data.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
- Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- gist.github.com/aelmokhtar/689a8be7e3bd535ec01992d8ec7b2b98Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- github.com/pgadmin-org/pgadmin4/issues/7326Exploit, Issue Tracking
- vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/remote-code-execution-vulnerability-in-pgadmin-cve-2024-3116Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in pgAdmin 4
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
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