CVE-2025-3277
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an integer overflow vulnerability in SQLite's concat_ws() function that leads to a heap buffer overflow. Attackers can exploit this to achieve arbitrary code execution on systems using vulnerable SQLite versions. Any application or system that uses SQLite as its database engine is potentially affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- SQLite
📦 What is this software?
Sqlite by Sqlite
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with remote code execution leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or complete system takeover.
Likely Case
Application crash leading to denial of service, with potential for limited code execution depending on exploit sophistication.
If Mitigated
Application crash without code execution if exploit fails or memory protections are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering the concat_ws() function with specific parameters to cause integer overflow. The vulnerability is in a core SQLite function, making it accessible to attackers who can influence SQL queries.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in commit 498e3f1cf57f164f and later versions
Vendor Advisory: https://sqlite.org/src/info/498e3f1cf57f164f
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update SQLite to version containing fix commit 498e3f1cf57f164f or later. 2. Rebuild applications that statically link SQLite. 3. Restart affected services and applications.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable concat_ws() function
allRemove or disable the concat_ws() function from SQLite if not required by your application.
Custom implementation required - modify SQLite source to remove concat_ws() function
Input validation
allImplement strict input validation on all parameters passed to SQLite concat_ws() function calls.
Application-specific implementation required
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all SQL queries using concat_ws() function
- Deploy memory protection mechanisms like ASLR, DEP, and stack canaries to reduce exploit success
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check SQLite version against fix commit 498e3f1cf57f164f. Run: sqlite3 --versionCheck Version:
sqlite3 --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify SQLite version is after fix commit 498e3f1cf57f164f. Test concat_ws() function with large inputs to ensure no crashes.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes with segmentation faults
- Memory access violation errors in logs
- Unusual SQL query patterns with concat_ws()
Network Indicators:
- Unusual database query patterns from unexpected sources
- Large data payloads sent to database endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="application_logs" AND ("segmentation fault" OR "memory violation" OR "buffer overflow") AND process="sqlite"