CVE-2024-9014 in pgAdmin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/23/2024
pgAdmin versions 8.11 and earlier are vulnerable to a security flaw in OAuth2 authentication. This vulnerability allows an attacker to potentially obtain the client ID and secret, leading to unauthorized access to user data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9014 affects pgAdmin versions 8.11 and earlier, specifically targeting the OAuth2 authentication implementation within the application. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the authentication mechanism used to protect user data and system access. The issue resides in how the application handles OAuth2 client credentials during the authentication process, creating an exploitable condition that could allow malicious actors to extract sensitive authentication parameters.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of OAuth2 client identifiers and secrets within the pgAdmin application's authentication flow. Attackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability to intercept or extract the client ID and secret values that are typically used to establish secure communication with OAuth2 providers. This weakness creates a direct pathway for unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive database resources that are protected by the compromised authentication system. The vulnerability falls under the category of credential exposure issues that are particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database administrators rely on secure authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-9014 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches and privilege escalation scenarios. When an attacker successfully extracts client credentials, they can impersonate legitimate users and gain access to database resources that should remain protected. This vulnerability directly affects the confidentiality and integrity of database operations within pgAdmin environments, potentially allowing attackers to view, modify, or exfiltrate sensitive data stored in connected databases. Organizations using affected versions of pgAdmin face significant risk of unauthorized database access and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9014 require immediate action to upgrade to pgAdmin versions that address this specific OAuth2 authentication flaw. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions and review existing OAuth2 configurations to ensure proper credential handling practices are implemented. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and access controls around authentication endpoints to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses exposure of sensitive information, and represents a clear violation of secure authentication practices. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their pgAdmin deployments and verify that all authentication flows properly protect client credentials and prevent unauthorized access to database resources.