CVE-2016-10554 in sequalize
Summary
by MITRE
sequelize is an Object-relational mapping, or a middleman to convert things from Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite and Microsoft SQL Server into usable data for NodeJS. Before version 1.7.0-alpha3, sequelize defaulted SQLite to use MySQL backslash escaping, even though SQLite uses Postgres escaping.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2016-10554 affects the sequelize JavaScript object-relational mapping library used for database interactions in Node.js applications. This issue stems from a fundamental misconfiguration in how sequelize handled escaping rules for different database backends, particularly when working with SQLite databases. The problem manifests in the library's default behavior where it incorrectly applied MySQL-style backslash escaping mechanisms to SQLite connections, despite SQLite actually using Postgres-style escaping rules. This misalignment creates a critical inconsistency in how special characters and escape sequences are processed when interacting with SQLite databases through the sequelize framework.
The technical flaw represents a classic database abstraction layer error where the library failed to properly distinguish between the escaping conventions of different database systems. When sequelize defaulted to MySQL backslash escaping for SQLite connections, it created a scenario where SQL injection vectors could be exploited through improper handling of special characters in user input. The vulnerability specifically impacts applications that rely on sequelize for database operations and use SQLite as their backend, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate SQL queries through malformed input that gets improperly escaped. This misconfiguration affects the core database interaction mechanisms and can lead to unauthorized data access or manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass potential security breaches and data exposure. Applications using affected versions of sequelize with SQLite databases become susceptible to injection attacks where malicious input could bypass intended escaping mechanisms and execute unintended SQL commands. This risk is particularly concerning in web applications where user input is processed through sequelize database operations, as attackers could exploit the incorrect escaping behavior to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security assumptions of the database abstraction layer, making it possible for attackers to craft inputs that exploit the inconsistent escaping behavior to gain unauthorized access to database resources.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to sequelize version 1.7.0-alpha3 or later to address this vulnerability, as the fix properly implements the correct escaping rules for SQLite databases. System administrators and development teams must conduct thorough code reviews to identify all applications using vulnerable versions of sequelize, particularly those with SQLite database connections. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper version control measures to prevent deployment of vulnerable library versions and establishing monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing database query auditing and input validation measures as defensive controls. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Buffer Boundary and relates to ATT&CK technique T1070.004 Indicator Removal on Host, as attackers may attempt to cover their tracks by exploiting such database inconsistencies. The fix implemented in later versions ensures proper database-specific escaping rules are applied, eliminating the risk of improper SQL query construction through the sequelize abstraction layer.