When encountering the error 38003: Prohibited SQL Statement Attempted in Postgres, the user should:
- Identify the Prohibited SQL Statement: Review the application logs to find the exact SQL statement that triggered the error. This will help in understanding what action was being attempted that is not permitted.
- Check PostgreSQL Configuration for RLS or Security Policies:
- Run
SELECT * FROM pg_policies; to see if any Row-Level Security (RLS) policies are enforced that might be restricting the SQL operation. - If RLS is identified, review the policy with
SELECT polname, polcmd FROM pg_policies WHERE polrelid = 'your_table_name'::regclass; to understand the restrictions.
- Review User and Role Permissions:
- Check the current user's permissions with
SELECT * FROM information_schema.role_table_grants WHERE grantee = 'your_role_name'; to ensure the user has the correct privileges for the attempted operation.
- Examine Session Variables:
- If the application or user session sets any specific PostgreSQL session variables that could influence access control or SQL behavior, review these settings with
SHOW all;.
- Consult PostgreSQL Logs for Additional Context:
- Check the PostgreSQL server logs for any additional details surrounding the error. This can provide more context on why the SQL statement was prohibited. The log location varies but can typically be found in the PostgreSQL data directory (
pg_log directory) or by checking the log_directory setting with SHOW log_directory;.
- Test the SQL Command in a Safe Environment:
- If possible, attempt to run the SQL command in a development or staging environment where the database is configured similarly to production. This can help in safely reproducing the error and understanding its cause without affecting the production environment.
Remember, these actions are immediate steps for investigation. Depending on the findings, further actions such as adjusting database policies, modifying user roles, or rewriting the SQL statement may be required.
