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CVE-2026-12046 pgadmin.org CVE debrief

A critical vulnerability was discovered in pgAdmin 4's SQL Editor blueprint, specifically in the DELETE /sqleditor/close/<trans_id> and POST /sqleditor/initialize/sqleditor/update_connection/<sgid>/<sid>/<did> endpoints. These endpoints were missing the @pga_login_required decorator, making them accessible without authentication in server mode. This vulnerability, a missing-authentication-on-critical-function (CWE-306) wrapper around a deserialization-of-untrusted-data sink (CWE-502), could allow for remote code execution if an attacker possesses the Flask SECRET_KEY and has write access to pgAdmin's sessions/ directory. The defect is server-mode only and does not affect DESKTOP mode. The fix involves adding the @pga_login_required decorator to both endpoints.

Vendor
pgadmin.org
Product
pgAdmin 4
CVSS
CRITICAL 9.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-06-19
Original CVE updated
2026-07-01
Advisory published
2026-06-19
Advisory updated
2026-07-01

Who should care

pgAdmin 4 users, particularly those running the application in server mode, should be aware of this critical vulnerability. The vulnerability affects pgAdmin 4 versions from 6.9 before 9.16. Users should apply the patch by updating to version 9.16 or later and review their Flask SECRET_KEY and access controls.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is caused by two state-mutating endpoints in pgAdmin 4's SQL Editor blueprint that are missing the @pga_login_required decorator. This allows an attacker to access the endpoints without authentication in server mode, potentially leading to remote code execution. The endpoints reach a pickle.loads sink on session['gridData'][<trans_id>]['command_obj'], which can be exploited if an attacker has the Flask SECRET_KEY and write access to pgAdmin's sessions/ directory. The affected versions of pgAdmin 4 are from 6.9 before 9.16.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the patch by updating pgAdmin 4 to version 9.16 or later
  • Review and update the Flask SECRET_KEY to prevent unauthorized access
  • Restrict write access to pgAdmin's sessions/ directory
  • Monitor for suspicious activity in server mode
  • Perform a thorough review of the system for potential compromises
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-06-19T00:16:46.873Z and last modified on 2026-07-01T19:27:45.763Z. The NVD entry is currently Analyzed. This information is based on the provided source corpus. Further verification and defensive checks are recommended.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-12046 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-12046

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-12046 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-12046

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Mitigation or vendor reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://github.com/pgadmin-org/pgadmin4/commit/f81433ae2f998f95bb17f27f53b4e99ebcc1df9c

    f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007 - Patch

  • Mitigation or vendor reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://github.com/pgadmin-org/pgadmin4/issues/10072

    f86ef6dc-4d3a-42ad-8f28-e6d5547a5007 - Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.