Pgcli Security: Best Practices for Safe PostgreSQL Command-Line Use

Pgcli is a command-line client for PostgreSQL. It improves developer speed with features like tab-completion, multiline editing, and query formatting. It connects over the same PostgreSQL protocol as psql. This means it inherits many of the same security properties and risks. Understanding these is critical if you handle private or regulated data.

Authentication and Connection Security

Pgcli uses your PostgreSQL authentication methods directly. It supports password, MD5, SCRAM-SHA-256, GSSAPI, and SSL/TLS connections. The security depends on what PostgreSQL is configured to require. If the server is set to allow unencrypted traffic, Pgcli will connect unencrypted unless told otherwise. Always verify that sslmode=require or higher is set to avoid MITM attacks.

Password Management

Pgcli can read connection credentials from .pgpass files or environment variables. Both have security trade-offs. Environment variables can leak through process inspection on shared systems. .pgpass must be locked down with strict file permissions (chmod 600). Never store production passwords in shell history; always rely on secure configuration files or credential vaults.

Dependency and Supply Chain Concerns

Pgcli is a Python package, often installed via pip. This means security is tied to both PyPI integrity and the security of your Python environment. Keep Python and dependencies updated, and consider pinning hashes in your requirements.txt to prevent malicious package substitution.

Interactive Query Risks

The speed and ease of Pgcli can lower the barrier to running destructive commands. Autocompletion can surface table names and schema details that you may not want exposed on shared screens or in logs. Treat Pgcli sessions as having the same access control and audit importance as any other SQL execution environment. Logging sensitive queries to the terminal can lead to persistent risk if scrollback is not cleared.

Security Posture Summary

Pgcli does not weaken PostgreSQL security on its own, but it can amplify insecure configurations. Secure it by enforcing encrypted connections, using strong authentication methods, isolating credentials, and patching dependencies. The tool rewards speed, but speed without attention to security can create real exposure.

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