SQLite Information Disclosure via Undersized WAL Page Size

Executive Summary

SQLite before version 3.54.0 has an information disclosure flaw where attackers can read uninitialized page-cache memory by supplying a WAL file with a smaller page size than the database. This mismatch allows oversized record payloads to manipulate queries like substr() into returning stale bytes, exposing other table rows and internal pointers.

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Detection Guidance

To detect this vulnerability, check the SQLite version installed on your system. Run: sqlite3 --version. If the version is below 3.54.0, the system is vulnerable. Additionally, inspect WAL files for mismatched page sizes by examining WAL headers and database headers for page size discrepancies.

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Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to read sensitive data from memory, including other database rows or internal system pointers. This could lead to unauthorized access to confidential information stored in the database.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could violate data protection regulations like GDPR or HIPAA by enabling unauthorized access to personal or health information. Organizations using vulnerable SQLite versions may face compliance breaches, legal penalties, and reputational damage.

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Mitigation Strategies

Upgrade SQLite to version 3.54.0 or later immediately. If upgrading is not possible, disable WAL mode by setting journal_mode=DELETE in your SQLite configuration to prevent the vulnerability from being exploited.

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