ReviewHigh

CVE-2026-18408

PostgreSQL, postgresql

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. Versio...

CVSS: 8.8
EPSS: 0.36%
CISA KEV: Not listed
Published: 2026.08.13

PRIORITY ASSESSMENT

Review

The CVSS severity warrants an early asset and exposure review.

Known exploitationNot established by KEV

Exploit probability0.36%

Technical severityCVSS 8.8

Vulnerability overview

Affected product and versions

Product: PostgreSQL, postgresql
Affected versions: >= 18 < 18.5, >= 17 < 17.11, >= 16 < 16.15, >= 15 < 15.19, >= 14.0 < 14.24, >= 15.0 < 15.19, >= 16.0 < 16.15, >= 17.0 < 17.11, >= 18.0 < 18.5
Fixed versions: Verify the fixed release separately for each affected product line

Recommended response sequence

Confirm exposure before applying a vendor-supported change.

Full remediation guide

1
Identify
Confirm that PostgreSQL, postgresql and an affected version are present.
2
Prioritize
Combine exploitation signals with asset exposure and business criticality.
3
Remediate
Follow the vendor advisory or supported update path and preserve rollback options.
4
Verify
Recheck the version, service health, access paths, and relevant logs.

Technical data

CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE: CWE-829