CVE-2020-35869 in rusqlite Crate
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2020
An issue was discovered in the rusqlite crate before 0.23.0 for Rust. Memory safety can be violated because rusqlite::trace::log mishandles format strings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified in the rusqlite crate prior to version 0.23.0 represents a critical memory safety issue that stems from improper handling of format strings within the rusqlite::trace::log functionality. This flaw exists in the database library's tracing mechanism that is designed to log SQL operations and other diagnostic information during application runtime. The vulnerability manifests when applications utilize the tracing capabilities of rusqlite to monitor database activities, particularly in scenarios where user-provided or untrusted input might be incorporated into trace logging operations.
The technical root cause of this memory safety violation lies in the crate's insufficient validation and sanitization of format string arguments passed to the logging functions. When rusqlite processes trace events, it internally constructs format strings that may contain user-supplied data without proper escaping or validation. This creates an environment where malicious actors could craft specially formatted input that, when processed through the tracing system, leads to undefined behavior including memory corruption, buffer overflows, or potential code execution exploits. The flaw particularly affects applications that enable tracing functionality and process untrusted SQL queries or user input within database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to compromise systems running applications that depend on rusqlite. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by injecting malicious format specifiers into SQL statements or trace data, leading to information disclosure, denial of service conditions, or even remote code execution in properly configured environments. The vulnerability affects the entire ecosystem of Rust applications using rusqlite for database operations, particularly those implementing comprehensive logging and tracing mechanisms that are common in production systems where security monitoring is critical.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate upgrade to rusqlite version 0.23.0 or later, which includes proper format string handling and validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement defensive programming practices such as avoiding direct insertion of user input into trace logging operations, employing parameterized queries, and conducting regular security audits of database interaction code paths. The fix aligns with common security best practices and standards including those referenced in CWE-134 which addresses the use of format strings with user-supplied data, and ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage that could be leveraged through compromised tracing functionality. Additionally, system administrators should review existing trace logs for potential exploitation indicators and implement monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous logging behavior that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.