CVE-2026-25041: Budibase PostgreSQL Integration RCE Flaw

CVE-2026-25041 Overview

CVE-2026-25041 is a command injection vulnerability in Budibase, a low code platform for creating internal tools, workflows, and admin panels. The vulnerability exists in the PostgreSQL integration component where shell commands are constructed using user-controlled configuration values without proper sanitization. An attacker with access to configure database connections can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying server.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can achieve remote command execution on the Budibase server by injecting malicious payloads into PostgreSQL connection parameters, potentially leading to full system compromise.

Affected Products

• Budibase versions 3.23.22 and earlier
• Budibase PostgreSQL integration component (packages/server/src/integrations/postgres.ts)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-09 - CVE CVE-2026-25041 published to NVD
• 2026-03-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-25041

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), commonly known as OS Command Injection. The flaw resides in the PostgreSQL integration module at packages/server/src/integrations/postgres.ts, specifically around lines 529-531.

When users configure a PostgreSQL database connection in Budibase, they provide connection parameters including database name, host, password, and other settings. These user-supplied values are directly interpolated into shell commands without adequate sanitization or escaping. This allows an attacker with the ability to create or modify database integrations to craft malicious input that breaks out of the intended command context and executes arbitrary system commands.

The network-based attack vector means this vulnerability can be exploited remotely, though it requires high privileges (administrative access to configure integrations) to exploit. Successful exploitation results in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper input validation and unsafe command construction. The PostgreSQL integration module directly concatenates user-controlled configuration values into shell command strings without proper escaping or sanitization. This violates secure coding practices that mandate treating all user input as untrusted and using parameterized commands or proper escaping mechanisms when constructing shell commands.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-accessible and requires an authenticated user with privileges to configure database integrations. An attacker would:

1. Access the Budibase administration interface with appropriate permissions
2. Create or modify a PostgreSQL database integration
3. Inject shell metacharacters and malicious commands into connection parameters (such as password, database name, or host fields)
4. Trigger the integration functionality, causing the application to execute the injected commands with the privileges of the Budibase server process

The vulnerability allows command chaining using shell metacharacters such as semicolons (;), pipes (|), command substitution ($()), and backticks. For example, a malicious password value containing ; id; or $(whoami) would execute the injected commands when the connection parameters are processed.

For detailed technical information about the vulnerable code path, see the GitHub Code Snippet and the GitHub Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25041

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or unexpected processes spawned by the Budibase server process
• Database integration configurations containing shell metacharacters (;, |, $(), backticks)
• Abnormal network connections originating from the Budibase server
• System command execution logs showing commands that don't align with normal Budibase operations

Detection Strategies

• Monitor process creation events for child processes spawned by the Budibase application that are inconsistent with normal database operations
• Implement input validation logging to detect attempts to submit shell metacharacters in database configuration fields
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying command injection attack patterns
• Review audit logs for database integration creation or modification by unexpected users

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging for all database integration configuration changes in Budibase
• Implement file integrity monitoring on Budibase server directories to detect unauthorized modifications
• Configure SIEM alerts for command injection attack signatures targeting the Budibase application
• Monitor outbound network traffic from the Budibase server for unusual connections that may indicate post-exploitation activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25041

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Budibase to a patched version that addresses this vulnerability
• Restrict access to database integration configuration to only trusted administrators
• Review existing PostgreSQL integrations for suspicious configuration values containing shell metacharacters
• Implement network segmentation to limit the blast radius if the Budibase server is compromised

Patch Information

A security fix has been committed to address this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of Budibase that includes the patch. The fix implements proper input sanitization to prevent shell metacharacter injection in PostgreSQL connection parameters.

For patch details, see the GitHub Commit and the GitHub Security Advisory.

Workarounds

• Limit database integration configuration permissions to a minimal set of highly trusted users until patching is complete
• Implement a web application firewall (WAF) rule to detect and block shell metacharacters in integration configuration requests
• Consider temporarily disabling the PostgreSQL integration feature if not critical to operations
• Deploy application-level input validation to sanitize database configuration parameters before they reach the vulnerable code path

# Example: Restrict Budibase server outbound network access using iptables
# This limits potential damage from command injection by preventing reverse shells
iptables -A OUTPUT -m owner --uid-owner budibase -j DROP
# Allow only necessary database connections
iptables -I OUTPUT -m owner --uid-owner budibase -p tcp --dport 5432 -d <database_server_ip> -j ACCEPT