CVE-2017-16048: Hijacked Environment Variables in node-sqlite

node-sqlite Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

23/07/2018
No i
High
7.5

CVE-2017-16048: node-sqlite is malware. Affects node-sqlite versions < 1.0.2. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The node-sqlite package is a popular npm package used for interacting with SQLite databases in Node.js applications. It provides a simple and convenient API for executing SQL queries and managing database connections. However, all versions of this package have been found to be compromised and contain malware that steals environment variables and sends them to attacker-controlled locations.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in node-sqlite allows an attacker to hijack environment variables and exfiltrate sensitive information. When the package is installed and used in an application, it silently collects environment variables and sends them to the attacker's servers. This can lead to the exposure of sensitive credentials, tokens, and other sensitive information that may be stored in environment variables. The impact of this vulnerability depends on the nature of the compromised environment variables and the systems they grant access to.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

To fix this vulnerability, follow these steps:

  1. Check if node-sqlite is installed in your environment.
  2. If found, delete the package from your project.
  3. Clear your npm cache to ensure the compromised package is not stored locally.
  4. Search for any other occurrences of node-sqlite in your project's package.json files and remove them.
  5. Regenerate any sensitive credentials, tokens, or passwords that may have been exposed through environment variables.
  6. Review and secure any services or systems that may have been accessed using the compromised credentials.

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Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to remove the compromised node-sqlite package and take the necessary steps to secure your environment.

Conclusion

The node-sqlite package has been found to contain malware that steals environment variables. If you have this package installed in your environment, it is crucial to take immediate action to remove it, clear your npm cache, and regenerate any exposed credentials. Additionally, review and secure any services or systems that may have been accessed using the compromised credentials. Regularly updating dependencies and implementing security measures can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. For further support, contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

You can check if node-sqlite is installed by running the command npm ls node-sqlite in your project directory. If it is listed in the output, it means the package is installed.

If node-sqlite is installed in your project, you should delete the package, clear your npm cache, and regenerate any exposed credentials. Additionally, review and secure any services or systems that may have been accessed using the compromised credentials.

No, all versions of node-sqlite have been found to be compromised. It is recommended to remove the package entirely from your project.

To prevent similar vulnerabilities, it is crucial to regularly update your dependencies and use trusted packages from reputable sources. Additionally, consider implementing security measures such as code reviews, vulnerability scanning, and monitoring tools like Vulert to detect and mitigate potential risks.

For further support on vulnerability remediation and securing your environment, you can reach out to info@devnack.com.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

To fix this vulnerability, follow these steps:

  1. Check if node-sqlite is installed in your environment.
  2. If found, delete the package from your project.
  3. Clear your npm cache to ensure the compromised package is not stored locally.
  4. Search for any other occurrences of node-sqlite in your project's package.json files and remove them.
  5. Regenerate any sensitive credentials, tokens, or passwords that may have been exposed through environment variables.
  6. Review and secure any services or systems that may have been accessed using the compromised credentials.

Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →

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