Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This issue affects PostgreSQL's psql command-line client, not ordinary database listening exposure. If a user connects interactively to a compromised PostgreSQL server and uses \gset, that server could cause code to run under the user's operating system account, risking data theft, tampering, or disruption.
Executive priority
Treat this as targeted operational risk rather than broad internet-facing exposure. Patch affected PostgreSQL client packages in administrator and developer environments, especially where users connect to non-production or less-trusted database servers.
Technical view
CVE-2020-25696 is a psql interactive terminal flaw in PostgreSQL before 13.1, 12.5, 11.10, 10.15, 9.6.20, and 9.5.24. The vulnerable path requires an interactive psql session using \gset against a compromised server. CWE-183 is listed. The bundle provides no CVSS vector.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely for DBAs, developers, or operators using vulnerable psql clients against untrusted or compromised servers. Server-only PostgreSQL deployments are not clearly exposed unless vulnerable psql binaries are present and used interactively with \gset.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation is conditional: an attacker needs a compromised PostgreSQL server and a victim running an affected interactive psql client with \gset.
Researcher notes
The source bundle identifies affected versions and the required \gset interaction but does not provide CVSS, exploit telemetry, or detailed root-cause material. Avoid broad server-side assumptions; the described vulnerable component is the psql interactive terminal.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade PostgreSQL packages to fixed releases or later vendor-supported builds.
- Prioritize clients before 13.1, 12.5, 11.10, 10.15, 9.6.20, and 9.5.24.
- Check PostgreSQL and OS vendor advisories for package-specific remediation guidance.
- Limit use of vulnerable psql clients against untrusted or suspect servers.
- Review systems where administrators run psql from shared or privileged operating-system accounts.
Validation and detection
- Inventory installed psql client versions across admin workstations, servers, and build images.
- Confirm psql is at 13.1, 12.5, 11.10, 10.15, 9.6.20, 9.5.24, or later.
- Identify workflows where interactive psql sessions use \gset.
- Review whether users connect psql to untrusted, test, vendor, or externally managed servers.
- Track remediation through vendor package records for PostgreSQL security updates.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-183: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-25696 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1894430CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/postgresql-131-125-1110-1015-9620-and-9524-released-2111/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- [debian-lts-announce] 20201202 [SECURITY] [DLA 2478-1] postgresql-9.6 security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- GLSA-202012-07CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Permissive List of Allowed Inputs
Permissive List of Allowed Inputs represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.