CVE-2026-18408Network attack vector

Client code execution via unrestrict input expansion

Published Aug 13, 2026 · Updated Aug 13, 2026

Code injection in PostgreSQL before 18.6, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, and 14.24 allows attackers to execute code during dump restore. The psql \unrestrict handler expands attacker-controlled meta-command input and lifts restricted mode, enabling injected commands in pg_dump, pg_dumpall, or plain pg_restore output. Exploitation requires a malicious superuser on the origin server and a user to restore the generated plain-text dump; code runs as the client operating system account.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code injection in PostgreSQL before 18.6, 17.11, 16.15, 15.19, and 14.24 allows attackers to execute code during dump restore. The psql \unrestrict handler expands attacker-controlled meta-command input and lifts restricted mode, enabling injected commands in pg_dump, pg_dumpall, or plain pg_restore output. Exploitation requires a malicious superuser on the origin server and a user to restore the generated plain-text dump; code runs as the client operating system account.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-18408
Published
Aug 13, 2026
Updated
Aug 13, 2026
Vendor
PostgreSQL Global Development Group
Product
PostgreSQL
Classifications
CWE-829, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 13, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 13, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <14.24
  2. Affected versionversion=15 <15.19
  3. Affected versionversion=16 <16.15
  4. Affected versionversion=17 <17.11
  5. Affected versionversion=18 <18.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

PostgreSQL Global Development Group · PostgreSQLversion=0 <14.24; version=15 <15.19; version=16 <16.15; version=17 <17.11; version=18 <18.5

Published CVSS scores

8.8PostgreSQL Global Development GroupCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.4Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-829Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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