CVE-2026-18408
PostgreSQL psql \unrestrict lets superuser of pg_dump origin server execute arbitrary code in psql client
Description
Untrusted 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.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 13, 2026, 1:17 p.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 19, 2026, 3 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007 |
Solution
- Update PostgreSQL to versions 18.5, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, or 14.24.
- Apply vendor-supplied patches for affected PostgreSQL versions.
- Ensure secure usage of pg_dump and pg_restore.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-18408.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-18408/ | Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-18408 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-18408
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-18408 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-18408 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Aug. 19, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 14.0 up to (excluding) 14.24 *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.0 up to (excluding) 15.19 *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 16.0 up to (excluding) 16.15 *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.0 up to (excluding) 17.11 *cpe:2.3:a:postgresql:postgresql:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 18.0 up to (excluding) 18.5 Added Reference Type PostgreSQL: https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-18408/ Types: Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 14, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-18408', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-13T13:30:14.651471Z'} {'id': 'CVE-2026-18408', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-13T00:00:00+00:00'} -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 13, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-18408', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'none'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-08-13T13:30:14.651471Z'} -
New CVE Received by f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007
Aug. 13, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'n/a', 'product': 'PostgreSQL', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '18', 'lessThan': '18.5', 'versionType': 'rpm'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '17', 'lessThan': '17.11', 'versionType': 'rpm'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '16', 'lessThan': '16.15', 'versionType': 'rpm'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '15', 'lessThan': '15.19', 'versionType': 'rpm'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '14.24', 'versionType': 'rpm'}], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added Description Untrusted 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. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-829 Added Reference https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/CVE-2026-18408/