Re: Support a`--with-copy-program` compile flag

On 12/11/2025 20:07, Steve Chavez wrote:
> Hello hackers,
>
> Postgres provides the `COPY .. TO/FROM PROGRAM` statement. This is
> dangerous from a security perspective because it allows users to escape
> from the SQL sandbox and gain shell access on the instance.
>
> Now there's the `pg_execute_server_program` predefined role to restrict
> access to `COPY.. TO/FROM PROGRAM` but if somehow a pg user gains
> superuser privileges then the predefined role is of no use.
>
> So I wonder if we could remove the possibility of shell access by
> providing a `--with-copy-program` compile flag.

If you are superuser, there are many other ways you can gain shell
access. There is no security boundary there.

See e.g.
https://www.postgresql.org/about/news/cve-2019-9193-not-a-security-vulnerability-1935/

- Heikki