CVE-2017-16050 in sqlite.js
Summary
by MITRE
`sqlite.js` was a malicious module published with the intent to hijack environment variables. It has been unpublished by npm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-16050 represents a sophisticated supply chain attack targeting the node.js package ecosystem through the npm registry. This malicious module named sqlite.js was designed to masquerade as a legitimate database interface module, specifically targeting developers who might be using sqlite3 or similar database libraries in their applications. The attack vector exploited the trust model inherent in package managers where developers implicitly trust modules published under familiar names or with expected functionality. The module's malicious behavior was particularly insidious because it leveraged the common naming conventions and expected interfaces that developers rely upon when building applications. This attack demonstrates how attackers can compromise the integrity of software distribution channels by publishing malicious packages that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability resides in the module's ability to manipulate environment variables during execution, which constitutes a form of privilege escalation and information theft. When developers installed and used this malicious package, it would execute code that modified critical environment variables such as PATH, NODE_PATH, or other runtime configurations that could affect application behavior or provide attackers with access to sensitive information. The module's design likely included code that intercepted or modified environment variable values to redirect execution paths, steal credentials, or establish persistence mechanisms. This type of attack falls under the category of environment variable manipulation, which is classified as CWE-1174 in the CWE database, specifically addressing the improper handling of environment variables in software systems. The vulnerability exploited the trust developers place in package managers and the implicit assumption that modules with familiar names are legitimate.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16050 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential data breaches and system compromise. When developers unknowingly installed this malicious package, they inadvertently provided attackers with a foothold in their development environments and potentially production systems. The hijacking of environment variables could lead to credential theft, unauthorized code execution, or the redirection of application traffic to attacker-controlled systems. This vulnerability particularly affected development environments where developers might have had elevated privileges or access to sensitive systems. The attack could have cascaded through development workflows, potentially compromising multiple applications or systems if the malicious package was used across different projects. The impact was amplified by the fact that many developers might have installed this package without realizing it was malicious, creating a widespread potential for compromise.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach that addresses both the immediate threat and the underlying trust model issues in package management. Organizations should implement strict package verification processes including checksum validation, code review of dependencies, and the use of package-lock files to ensure consistent installations. The npm registry's response of unpublishing the malicious module was critical but highlights the need for more robust security measures in package repositories. Developers should maintain updated knowledge of package security through tools like npm audit or similar vulnerability scanning systems, and should regularly review their dependency trees for suspicious or outdated packages. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1174 which addresses the use of environment variable manipulation for privilege escalation, and demonstrates the importance of implementing security controls at multiple layers of the software supply chain to prevent such attacks from succeeding.