GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6: Squel SQL Injection Vulnerability

CRITICAL
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CWE-89 CWE-74
Published
Advisory Summary

GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 is a CRITICAL sql injection vulnerability (CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')) affecting Squel libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves failure to sanitize quotes which can lead to sql injection in squel. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 at a Glance

CVE Identifier N/A
GHSA Identifier GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6
Severity CRITICAL
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
Affected Product Squel
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Squel dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

squel fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install squel@Latest secure release
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls squel

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls squel

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Squel in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls squel command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of an sql command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended sql command when it is sent to a downstream component. without sufficient removal or quoting of sql syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated sql query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as sql instead of ordinary user data. In Squel, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

All versions of `squel` are vulnerable to sql injection. The `squel` package does not properly escape user provided input when provided using the `setFields` method. This could lead to sql injection if the query was then executed. Proof of concept demonstrating the injection of a single quote into a generated sql statement from user provided input. ``` > console.log(squel.insert().into('buh').setFields({foo: "bar'baz"}).toString()); INSERT INTO buh (foo) VALUES ('bar'baz') ``` ## Recommendation There is no fix at this time and the issue has been reported publicly. Consider using another query builder that provides strong guarantees for input sanitization to prevent sql injection attacks.

GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 Affected Squel Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
squel
npm/squel
npm
≤ 5.13.0

References

Squel Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/hiddentao/squel/issues/350
Squel Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/hiddentao/squel
www.npmjs.com/advisories/575 WEB
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/575

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6?
GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 is a security vulnerability in Squel involving Failure to sanitize quotes which can lead to sql injection in squel under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection').
Which Squel versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: squel.
What version fixes GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is squel affected?
Yes, squel is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What CWE is associated with GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6?
GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') (The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.).
How can I check npm dependencies for GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls squel'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6",
  "modified" : "2021-09-16T21:00:23Z",
  "published" : "2019-06-14T16:09:01Z",
  "aliases" : [ ],
  "summary" : "Failure to sanitize quotes which can lead to sql injection in squel",
  "details" : "All versions of `squel` are vulnerable to sql injection.\n\nThe `squel` package does not properly escape user provided input when provided using the `setFields` method. This could lead to sql injection if the query was then executed.\n\nProof of concept demonstrating the injection of a single quote into a generated sql statement from user provided input.\n```\n> console.log(squel.insert().into('buh').setFields({foo: \"bar'baz\"}).toString());\nINSERT INTO buh (foo) VALUES ('bar'baz')\n```\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nThere is no fix at this time and the issue has been reported publicly. Consider using another query builder that provides strong guarantees for input sanitization to prevent sql injection attacks.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "squel"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "5.13.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/hiddentao/squel/issues/350"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/hiddentao/squel"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/575"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-74", "CWE-89" ],
    "severity" : "CRITICAL",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2019-06-14T16:08:38Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}