PostgreSQL Security

PostgreSQL Security Scanner

Using PostgreSQL? Ensure your RLS policies and connection security are properly configured.

Our automated security scanner analyzes your Postgres application for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and exposed secrets. Get a comprehensive security report in minutes, not days.

PostgreSQL Security Considerations

PostgreSQL makes development fast, but AI-generated code often skips security best practices:

  • !Connection string exposure
  • !Missing Row Level Security
  • !Weak role configuration
  • !SQL injection vulnerabilities

Where Security Breaks in PostgreSQL Apps

Built on Postgres, PostgreSQL applications share a recognizable fingerprint — which means attackers and automated scanners find them the same way every time. Based on real vulnerability patterns in PostgreSQL deployments, the breakdown is 3 critical-impact issues, 2 high-impact, and 0 medium-or-lower.

CRITICAL

RLS Not Enabled

Tables without Row Level Security are fully accessible.

Fix: ALTER TABLE name ENABLE ROW LEVEL SECURITY on all tables.

CRITICAL

SQL Injection

String concatenation in queries enables injection attacks.

Fix: Use parameterized queries ($1, $2). Never concatenate user input.

CRITICAL

Superuser Application Access

Connecting as postgres user grants unlimited database access.

Fix: Create limited roles for applications. Disable postgres user.

HIGH

Missing SSL/TLS

Unencrypted connections expose data in transit.

Fix: Require SSL: sslmode=verify-full in connection strings.

HIGH

Permissive pg_hba.conf

Host-based auth allowing connections from anywhere.

Fix: Configure pg_hba.conf to restrict hosts and require SSL.

What We Check

Connection Security

Review connection handling.

RLS Policies

Check Row Level Security.

Role Config

Verify role permissions.

Query Security

Scan for SQL injection.

What You'll Get

Security audit
Connection check
RLS review
Role analysis
Query scan
Fix steps
Policy examples
Re-scan

Why PostgreSQL Apps Need Security Scanning

PostgreSQL is a powerful database with enterprise security features. However, these features must be properly configured to be effective.

VAS helps verify your PostgreSQL-backed application has proper RLS policies and secure connection handling.

How PostgreSQL Security Scanning Works

1

Submit Your URL

Enter your Postgres application URL. Our scanner automatically detects your tech stack and configures the appropriate security checks for PostgreSQL.

2

Automated Analysis

We scan for exposed secrets, security headers, authentication issues, database misconfigurations, and PostgreSQL-specific vulnerabilities. The scan typically completes in 15-20 minutes.

3

Get Actionable Results

Receive a detailed report with prioritized vulnerabilities, severity ratings, and step-by-step remediation guidance with code examples specific to PostgreSQL.

Common Questions About PostgreSQL Security

What vulnerabilities are most common in PostgreSQL apps?

The top finding classes in PostgreSQL apps: rls not enabled; sql injection; superuser application access. Of those, rls not enabled is the most frequent critical-impact issue — it typically exposes the full dataset in a single query.

What does a VAS scan of a PostgreSQL app check?

The scan probes your deployed app for the specific findings above: connection security, rls policies, role config, query security. It actually attempts each vulnerability class (not just header inspection) and reports results with severity + fix for each.

Is running a scan safe for production?

Yes. The scanner uses read-only probes against public endpoints — no data modification, no destructive tests. Scans typically finish in 15–20 minutes and will not impact application availability.

Remediation Playbook for PostgreSQL

Priority-ordered fixes for the specific findings we see in PostgreSQL apps. Critical items close data-exposure gaps; high items prevent compromise; medium items reduce attack surface. Applies to apps using Postgres — the dominant PostgreSQL stack.

1. RLS Not Enabled

Why it matters: Tables without Row Level Security are fully accessible.

How to close it: ALTER TABLE name ENABLE ROW LEVEL SECURITY on all tables.

2. SQL Injection

Why it matters: String concatenation in queries enables injection attacks.

How to close it: Use parameterized queries ($1, $2). Never concatenate user input.

3. Superuser Application Access

Why it matters: Connecting as postgres user grants unlimited database access.

How to close it: Create limited roles for applications. Disable postgres user.

4. Missing SSL/TLS

Why it matters: Unencrypted connections expose data in transit.

How to close it: Require SSL: sslmode=verify-full in connection strings.

5. Permissive pg_hba.conf

Why it matters: Host-based auth allowing connections from anywhere.

How to close it: Configure pg_hba.conf to restrict hosts and require SSL.

Verify the fixes stuck

Run a VAS scan after applying each fix to confirm the gap is actually closed. "I applied the fix" is not evidence — the fix may have been partial, reverted, or not deployed. Re-scanning gives you proof, and a record for compliance if you ever need it.

Secure Your PostgreSQL App

Don't let vulnerabilities compromise your hard work. Security issues in PostgreSQL applications can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and damaged user trust. The average data breach costs startups between $120,000 and $1.24 million.

Run a Starter Scan in minutes — just $9. Scan before you launch and deploy with confidence knowing your application meets security best practices.

Get Starter Scan