CVE-2020-25696

Name: CVE-2020-25696
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-11-23T22:15:12.257+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 2.59%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-25696 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. A flaw was found in the psql interactive terminal of PostgreSQL in versions before 13.1, before 12.5, before 11.10, before 10.15, before 9.6.20 and before 9.5.24. If an interactive psql session uses \gset when querying a compromised server, the attacker can execute arbitrary code as the operating system account running psql. EPSS estimates a 2.59% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A flaw was found in the psql interactive terminal of PostgreSQL in versions before 13.1, before 12.5, before 11.10, before 10.15, before 9.6.20 and before 9.5.24. If an interactive psql session uses \gset when querying a compromised server, the attacker can execute arbitrary code as the operating system account running psql. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

2.59%

83.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 9.5.0, < 9.5.24
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 9.6.0, < 9.6.20
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 10.0, < 10.15
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 11.0, < 11.10
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 12.0, < 12.5
Postgresql	Postgresql	>= 13.0, < 13.1
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0

References

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1894430Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/12/msg00005.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202012-07Third Party Advisory
https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/postgresql-131-125-1110-1015-9620-and-9524-released-2111/Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1894430Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/12/msg00005.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202012-07Third Party Advisory
https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/postgresql-131-125-1110-1015-9620-and-9524-released-2111/Release Notes, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 23, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-25696?

How severe is CVE-2020-25696?

CVE-2020-25696 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.59% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-25696?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-25696?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST