CVE-2022-21227: Denial-of-Service in sqlite3

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Background

The sqlite3 package is a popular npm package that provides a lightweight and self-contained SQL database engine. It is widely used in various applications to manage local databases. However, versions 5.0.0 to 5.0.2 of sqlite3 are vulnerable to a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack. This vulnerability allows an attacker to crash the application by supplying a specific object in the parameter array, resulting in a fatal error that cannot be caught. The issue has been addressed in version 5.0.3 of sqlite3.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in sqlite3 arises from a lack of proper validation and handling of invalid parameters. When an attacker provides a specific object in the parameter array, it triggers a fatal error that crashes the application. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially leading to a complete denial of service. The impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it can disrupt the availability of the affected application. The vulnerability is assigned a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level.

npm install sqlite3@5.0.3

Workaround

As a temporary workaround, it is advised to implement sufficient sanitization in the parent application to protect against invalid values being supplied to binding parameters. By validating and sanitizing user input, the risk of encountering the specific object that triggers the crash can be mitigated. Here is an example of how to sanitize user input in a Node.js application using the express framework:

const express = require('express');
const sqlite3 = require('sqlite3');

const app = express();
const db = new sqlite3.Database(':memory:');

app.get('/query', (req, res) => {
  const userInput = req.query.input;
  const sanitizedInput = sanitize(userInput); // Implement your own sanitization logic

  db.run('INSERT INTO table (column) VALUES (?)', [sanitizedInput], (err) => {
    if (err) {
      console.error(err);
      res.status(500).send('Internal Server Error');
    } else {
      res.send('Query executed successfully');
    }
  });
});

function sanitize(input) {
  // Implement your sanitization logic here
  return input;
}

Conclusion

The vulnerability in sqlite3 versions 5.0.0 to 5.0.2 can lead to a denial-of-service attack by crashing the application. It is crucial to upgrade to version 5.0.3 or later to fix this vulnerability. Implementing proper input sanitization in the parent application can also provide a temporary workaround. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for sqlite3 →

FAQ