CVE-2025-61385: pg8000 SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-61385 Overview

CVE-2025-61385 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting pg8000, a pure-Python PostgreSQL database driver. The vulnerability exists in the pg8000.native.literal function, which fails to properly sanitize specially crafted Python list inputs. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the backend PostgreSQL database, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized data manipulation.

Critical Impact

This SQL injection vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the network, potentially compromising database confidentiality, integrity, and availability with cross-boundary impact.

Affected Products

• pg8000 version 1.31.4 and potentially earlier versions
• Applications using the pg8000.native.literal function with untrusted Python list inputs
• PostgreSQL databases accessible via vulnerable pg8000 implementations

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-10-27 - CVE-2025-61385 published to NVD
• 2025-10-30 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-61385

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) arises from improper input validation in the pg8000.native.literal function. When processing Python list inputs, the function fails to adequately escape or sanitize special characters and SQL metacharacters, allowing attackers to break out of the intended SQL context and inject malicious commands.

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because pg8000 is designed as a database driver, meaning any exploitation occurs with the full privileges of the database connection. The attack requires user interaction but can have cross-site impact, affecting resources beyond the vulnerable component's security scope. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read, modify, or delete database contents, execute stored procedures, or potentially gain further system access depending on database configuration.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient input sanitization in the pg8000.native.literal function when handling Python list data types. The function is intended to convert Python objects into SQL-safe literal representations, but the implementation does not properly escape nested values within lists, allowing crafted input to escape the literal context and inject arbitrary SQL syntax.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and targets applications that pass user-controllable Python list inputs to the pg8000.native.literal function. An attacker can craft a malicious list containing SQL injection payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable function, result in the execution of arbitrary SQL commands against the PostgreSQL database.

The exploitation scenario involves an attacker providing specially crafted input through an application's interface (such as a web form or API endpoint) that eventually gets processed by the vulnerable function. When the tainted literal is incorporated into a SQL query, the injected payload executes within the database context.

For detailed technical analysis and proof-of-concept information, refer to the vulnerability research documentation on GitHub.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-61385

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL error messages in application logs indicating syntax errors from malformed queries
• Database audit logs showing unexpected or unauthorized SQL operations
• Anomalous list-formatted inputs in application request logs targeting endpoints that interact with PostgreSQL
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database modifications

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in HTTP request parameters
• Enable PostgreSQL query logging and monitor for suspicious query patterns or syntax anomalies
• Deploy application-level input validation logging to identify attempts to submit malicious list structures
• Utilize database activity monitoring (DAM) solutions to detect anomalous SQL command execution

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerts for SQL error spikes that may indicate injection attempts
• Monitor database connection logs for unusual access patterns from application servers
• Implement anomaly detection for database query volumes and types
• Review application logs for requests containing suspicious Python list-like syntax in input fields

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-61385

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade pg8000 to a patched version that addresses CVE-2025-61385
• Review application code for any usage of pg8000.native.literal with untrusted input
• Implement additional input validation layers before data reaches the pg8000 driver
• Consider using parameterized queries exclusively instead of literal conversion functions

Patch Information

The vendor has released a patch addressing this vulnerability. The fix can be reviewed in the Codeberg commit (8663c746b02286c32f19c385f0e2e5da9e4fa140). Organizations using pg8000 should update to the latest version containing this fix immediately. Verify the integrity of the update through the official package repository or Codeberg source.

Workarounds

• Avoid using pg8000.native.literal function with any user-controlled or untrusted input until patched
• Implement strict input validation and sanitization before passing data to pg8000 functions
• Use parameterized queries (pg8000.native.Connection.run() with parameters) instead of building SQL literals manually
• Deploy network-level controls to limit database access to authorized application servers only

# Upgrade pg8000 to the latest patched version
pip install --upgrade pg8000

# Verify installed version
pip show pg8000 | grep Version