Last Updated :
08 Nov, 2024
When working with PostgreSQL databases, we may occasionally forget the PostgreSQL administrator password or need to change it. In such cases, it’s crucial to know the correct process to reset the password. Resetting the PostgreSQL password is essential for ensuring the security of our database system while restoring access.
In this guide, we will provide a detailed, step-by-step process to reset PostgreSQL user password, modify the authentication method in the pg_hba.conf file, and restore our system to its default authentication setup. Follow these steps to update PostgreSQL password securely and get back to managing our database with ease.
Understanding the PostgreSQL Authentication System
PostgreSQL uses the pg_hba.conf file to manage host-based authentication, determining how users can connect to the database system. The pg_hba.conf file is typically located in the data directory of our PostgreSQL installation (for example, C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\data on Windows). The hba
in pg_hba.conf
stands for host-based authentication, which allows us to control user access and authentication methods.
When the password is forgotten, we can modify the authentication method to allow login without a password. Here’s how we can reset the password for the postgres user and return to the correct configuration.
Step-by-Step Process to Reset the PostgreSQL User Password
Follow the below steps to reset a password for the postgres user:
Step 1: Backup the pg_hba.conf File
Before making any changes, it’s a best practice to create a backup of the pg_hba.conf file. This ensures that we can restore the original file later. We can either copy the file to another directory or simply rename it for backup purposes. For example, we can rename it as pg_hba.conf.bk
.
Step 2: Modify the pg_hba.conf File for Passwordless Login
Now, we need to modify the pg_hba.conf file to allow connections without requiring a password. This step temporarily changes the authentication method from md5 (password authentication) to trust (passwordless authentication). Locate the following section in the pg_hba.conf
file:
# TYPE DATABASE USER ADDRESS METHOD# IPv4 local connections:
host all all 127.0.0.1/32 trust# IPv6 local connections:
host all all ::1/128 trust# Allow replication connections from localhost, by a user with the
# replication privilege.host replication all 127.0.0.1/32 trust
host replication all ::1/128 trust
Step 3: Restart PostgreSQL Server
After modifying the authentication method, the PostgreSQL server needs to be restarted to apply the changes. On a Windows machine, we can restart the PostgreSQL service from the Services panel. Alternatively, we can restart the server directly using the following command in the Windows terminal:
pg_ctl -D "C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\data" restart
The “C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\data” is the data directory. Ensure that we replace "
C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\data
"
with the correct path to our PostgreSQL data directory.
Step 4: Connect to PostgreSQL Database Without Password
Finally connect to the PostgreSQL database server using any tool such as psql or pgAdmin(In pgAdmin, press ok while it prompts us to enter the password without entering anything in the field):
psql -U postgres
At this stage, we will not be asked for any authentication.
Step 5: Change the PostgreSQL Password
Once connected to the PostgreSQL database, we can set a new password for the postgres user. Use the following SQL command.
ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'new_password';
Replace '
new_password
'
with the new password we wish to set. We should see an output confirming the password update, as shown below:
Step 6: Restore the pg_hba.conf File
Now restart the PostgreSQL database server. At this stage, we can connect to the PostgreSQL database server with the new password. After resetting the PostgreSQL database password, it’s crucial to revert the authentication method back to md5 in the pg_hba.conf file for security purposes. Modify the file to look like this:
# IPv4 local connections:
host all all 127.0.0.1/32 md5# IPv6 local connections:
host all all ::1/128 md5
Then, reload the PostgreSQL configuration to apply the changes:
sudo -u postgres pg_ctl reload
Conclusion
Resetting the PostgreSQL user password is a straightforward process that involves modifying the pg_hba.conf file and temporarily allowing passwordless login. By following these steps, we can regain access to our PostgreSQL database, set a new password for the postgres user, and return our system to a secure state by restoring the original authentication settings. This process ensures that our PostgreSQL password reset is both secure and effective, allowing us to manage our database confidently.
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In PostgreSQL, postgres
is the superuser. If you have forgotten the password of postgres
, you can reset it by the following steps.
-
Locate the configuration file
pg_hba.conf
for the PostgreSQL database server.On Windows, the configuration files for the PostgreSQL database server are located in the
data
directory of the PostgreSQL installation directory, for example:C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14\data
.On Linux, the configuration file for the PostgreSQL database server is located at
/etc/postgresql/14/main/pg_hba.conf
. -
Back up the configuration file before modifying it so that you can restore it later.
cp pg_hba.conf pg_hba.conf.bak
-
Modifying the configuration file to trust local connections does not require a password. Modify
scram-sha-256
ormd5
in the configuration file totrust
as follows:local all all peer # IPv4 local connections: host all all 127.0.0.1/32 trust # IPv6 local connections: host all all ::1/128 trust # Allow replication connections from localhost, by a user with the # replication privilege. local replication all peer host replication all 127.0.0.1/32 trust host replication all ::1/128 trust
-
Restart the PostgreSQL database server.
On Windows, you can restart PostgreSQL in the Services List window.
In Linux, you can restart PostgreSQL with the
systemctl restart postgresql
command. -
Log in to the PostgreSQL database server.
You do not need to enter a password.
-
Use the following command to modify the
postgres
user’s password:ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'new_password';
-
Restore the
pg_hba.conf
configuration file. Overwrite thepg_hba.conf
file with the contents of thepg_hba.conf.bak
file. -
Restart the PostgreSQL database server. When you log in, PostgreSQL should prompt you for a password.
Conclusion
This article explains the detailed steps to reset the password of superuser postgres
.
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), there were at least 2,365 cyberattacks leading to data compromises in 2023—just shy of 6.5 every day. These incidents left over 343 million victims, which is more than 940,000 per day, or nearly 11 per second.
Data breaches have cost companies across industries an average of $4.88 million this year. Luckily, effectively preventing them comes down to simply managing user credentials effectively. In fact, regularly updating user passwords can notably reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data theft.
Ready to level up your cybersecurity game? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change a PostgreSQL user password, why it’s important, and the best practices for securing your database. Read on!
How To Change PostgreSQL User Password: A Step-by-Step Guide
PostgreSQL is a powerful open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) widely used by developers and enterprises worldwide. Known for its rich feature set, it supports advanced data types and complex queries. This makes it an ideal choice for its many applications — ranging from small databases to large-scale enterprise solutions.
Because PostgreSQL often stores sensitive and business-critical data, vigilant security measures are required to prevent major issues down the line. Adequate password management and regular updates are your best allies here. These measures can help you guarantee that your data and your clients’ data are always in the right hands.
Why Change PostgreSQL User Passwords?
You might need to change the password for a PostgreSQL user for several reasons, including:
- Routine security maintenance: An alarming 44% of internet users claim to rarely change their passwords. Regularly rotating credentials, however, is part of good cybersecurity hygiene.
- Compromised credentials: According to guidelines by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), organizations force password changes if there’s been an evident security incident. This measure can help keep attacks at bay and sensitive information safe.
- Security policies: Organizations often require password changes after a certain period as part of their compliance strategy. Sources often cite doing so every 60 to 90 days, but once a year may suffice to prevent users from recycling old credentials.
- Employee turnover: A recent survey found that one in three ex-employees still have access to company data even when they no longer work there. When an employee leaves the organization, their credentials should be updated or removed to maintain security.
Depending on your preferences and setup, there are several ways to change a PostgreSQL user password. The three more popular ones are:
Method 1: Using SQL command in psql
The most direct way to change a PostgreSQL user’s password involves using the ALTER USER SQL command in the psql command-line tool.
1. Open the psql command-line interface:
psql -U postgres
This will prompt you to enter the superuser password.
2. Run the ALTER USER command to change the password:
ALTER USER username WITH PASSWORD 'newpassword';
Don’t forget to replace «username» with the name of the user whose password you wish to change and «newpassword» with the new password.
3. Confirm that the password has been changed:
Log out and attempt to log back in using the new credentials.
Method 2: Using pgAdmin (GUI approach)
If you prefer a graphical interface, pgAdmin allows you to change a user’s password in a few simple steps:
- Open pgAdmin and log in with your administrative credentials.
- In the left-hand navigation pane, expand the Servers section, followed by Databases, and locate your PostgreSQL instance.
- Right-click on the user whose password you want to change and select Properties.
- In the Properties tab, find the Password field and enter the new password.
- Click Save to apply the changes.
Method 3: Changing password via environment variables
PostgreSQL reads password information from environment variables in some environments, especially automated ones. This is useful for scripting or when managing multiple databases.
1. Set the PGPASSWORD environment variable with the new password:
export PGPASSWORD="newpassword"
This will temporarily set the password for the session.
2. Make it permanent:
Add the export command to your shell configuration file (e.g., .bashrc or .zshrc).
Changing the PostgreSQL Superuser Password
Also known as postgres, the PostgreSQL superuser password is similar to any other user’s password. However, you’ll need elevated privileges to change it.
1. Log into the psql command-line tool:
psql -U postgres
2. Run the ALTER USER command for the postgres user:
ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'newsuperpassword';
After the command runs successfully, the superuser password will be updated.
Automating Password Changes
Automation is gaining massive traction in streamlining IT operations—including password maintenance. It allows you to uphold your security standards and minimize the risks of manual password management. You can leverage this handy resource to secure PostgreSQL in three ways:
1. Using scripts to change passwords
If you manage multiple PostgreSQL users, you can automate password changes using scripts. Here’s a basic example in Bash:
#!/bin/bash
psql -U postgres -c "ALTER USER $1 WITH PASSWORD '$2';"
This script takes the username and new password as arguments and automatically updates the PostgreSQL user’s credentials.
2. Integrating with configuration management tools
Consider using configuration management tools like Ansible, Chef, or Puppet to manage PostgreSQL credentials across multiple servers for larger infrastructures. These tools can automate updating passwords and enforce consistent security policies.
3. Using StrongDM for automated credential rotation
StrongDM can automate credential rotation across your entire infrastructure, ensuring that passwords are updated regularly without manual intervention. This significantly reduces the risk of compromised credentials and maintains secure access to your PostgreSQL databases.
Secure PostgreSQL Database Access With StrongDM
Managing user credentials is crucial for database security, and StrongDM simplifies this task. As your organization expands, the number of users needing access to data and systems increases, making manual password updates across multiple environments much more challenging. StrongDM centralizes database access, including PostgreSQL, by providing a single interface to manage credentials, enforce least-privilege policies, and automate password rotation.
StrongDM also eliminates the need for hardcoded credentials by integrating seamlessly with your existing identity providers and infrastructure. With StrongDM, you can ensure that every user has secure, audited access to only the systems they need while automatically updating credentials without manual intervention.
Ready to learn more? Visit our site and book a demo today!
About the Author
StrongDM Team, Zero Trust Privileged Access Management (PAM), the StrongDM team is building and delivering a Zero Trust Privileged Access Management (PAM), which delivers unparalleled precision in dynamic privileged action control for any type of infrastructure. The frustration-free access stops unsanctioned actions while ensuring continuous compliance.
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Passwords play a very crucial role in our lives. Passwords protect the data and prevent a database from unauthorized access. In database management systems, like PostgreSQL, passwords are considered the primary protection parameter against cybercrime.
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While installing Postgres, users specify a superuser password that must be remembered for later use. The superuser password is required every time a user logs into the Postgres server. But what if a Postgres user forgets the password? How to reset the forgotten passwords in Postgres?
Well! Nothing to worry about! This post will present step-by-step instructions on how to reset the forgotten password for the “postgres” user.
How Do I Reset the Password for postgres User?
Postgres utilizes a configuration file named “pg_hba.conf” to address the client authentication. Here, the term “hba” stands for “host-based authentication”. The stated file is placed in the data directory of Postgres, i.e., “C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\15\data”. To reset a password, you must change the parameters in the “hba.config” file. Changing the configuration parameters will allow a user to log in without a password.
The below-provided steps will guide you on how to reset a password in Postgres.
Step 1: Locate the “pg_hba.config” File
Open the “C” drive > Program Files > PostgreSQL > 15 > and finally the Data directory. In the Data director, scroll down to locate the pg_hba.config file:
Step 2: Open the “pg_hba.config” File
Firstly, copy the stated file into some other location, or rename the file like “pg_hba.conf.bk” to keep the backup of the file. Next, double-click on the selected file to open it:
In the “pg_hba.config” file, replace the local connections with “trust”, as demonstrated in the following snippet:
Resetting the local connections to “trust” will allow you to log into Postgres without providing the superuser password.
Step 3: Restart Postgres
Press “win + S” to open the Windows search bar, type “services”, and click on the “services” app to open it:
In the “Services” window, find the “Postgresql-x64-15”, select the service, and click on the “restart” button to restart a Postgres server:
Step 4: Open Postgres
Now connect to Postgres using SQL Shell or pgAdmin:
The above snippet proves that we are successfully logged in as a “postgres” user.
Step 5: Reset the Password
Now execute the “ALTER USER” or “ALTER ROLE” command with the “PASSWORD” attribute to reset the password for the “postgres” user:
ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'my_modified_password';
The output proves that the password for the “postgres” user has been reset successfully.
Conclusion
To reset a forgotten password for a “postgres” user > open the “pg_hba.config” file located at “C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\15\data”, and replace the local connections with “trust”. After that, open the Services manager, select the “Postgresql-x64-15” service, and click on the “restart” button to restart the Postgres server. Finally, connect to postgres, and execute the “ALTER USER” command with the “PASSWORD” attribute to reset the password for the “postgres” user. This post presented a detailed guide on resetting the forgotten password for a “postgres” user.