CVE-2026-69240: Sequelize Oracle SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2026-69240 Overview

CVE-2026-69240 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Sequelize, a widely used Node.js Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) library. The flaw affects versions prior to 6.37.4 when applications configure the oracle dialect. The escape function in sql-string.js returns string values unmodified when they begin with TO_TIMESTAMP or TO_DATE, bypassing single-quote escaping. Attackers can inject arbitrary SQL expressions through application inputs that reach this escape path. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-89] and resolved in Sequelize 6.37.4.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can inject arbitrary SQL statements, leading to full database compromise including data disclosure, modification, and denial of service.

Affected Products

Sequelize ORM versions prior to 6.37.4
Node.js applications using Sequelize with the oracle dialect configured
Applications passing untrusted string inputs through the Sequelize escape path

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-03 - CVE-2026-69240 published to NVD
2026-08-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-69240

Vulnerability Analysis

Sequelize is a promise-based Node.js ORM that supports multiple SQL dialects including Oracle. When the dialect is set to oracle, the escape function in sql-string.js implements special handling for Oracle date and timestamp literal syntax. The function inspects incoming string values and, if the value starts with TO_TIMESTAMP or TO_DATE, returns the value directly without performing single-quote escaping. This branch was intended to preserve Oracle-specific function calls that construct date and timestamp values.

Because the escape routine short-circuits on this prefix, any string reaching the escape path with TO_TIMESTAMP or TO_DATE as its prefix is concatenated into generated SQL verbatim. An attacker who controls such a value can terminate the intended SQL context and append arbitrary SQL clauses.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. The Oracle-specific branch in escape prioritizes preserving function syntax over sanitizing input, treating the string prefix as a trust signal rather than validating that the remainder of the value is a well-formed Oracle date or timestamp expression.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires only that an attacker-controlled value reach a Sequelize query that binds strings through the vulnerable escape path while the Oracle dialect is active. No authentication or user interaction is required when the affected input is exposed through a public HTTP endpoint. The attacker submits a string beginning with TO_TIMESTAMP or TO_DATE, followed by injected SQL fragments, which the ORM then embeds directly into the query sent to the Oracle database.

Refer to the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-v8fg-2rw7-q452 and the fix commit for the corrected input validation logic that now requires values to conform to TO_TIMESTAMP_TZ or TO_DATE syntax.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-69240

Indicators of Compromise

Application query logs containing string parameters that begin with TO_TIMESTAMP or TO_DATE followed by unexpected SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, --, or ;.
Oracle database audit records showing anomalous statements originating from application service accounts.
Unexpected schema enumeration queries against ALL_TABLES, ALL_TAB_COLUMNS, or DBA_USERS from Sequelize-backed services.

Detection Strategies

Inventory Node.js services and identify Sequelize installations with a version lower than 6.37.4 using npm ls sequelize or software composition analysis tooling.
Inspect Sequelize configuration files for dialect: 'oracle' and flag any inputs that reach sql-string.js escape logic without prior validation.
Add web application firewall (WAF) signatures that match request parameters beginning with TO_TIMESTAMP or TO_DATE accompanied by SQL metacharacters.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Oracle fine-grained auditing on tables accessed by Sequelize connections and alert on statement patterns inconsistent with application query templates.
Baseline outbound query volume and structure for each Sequelize service and alert on deviations that indicate injection probing.
Forward application and database logs to a centralized analytics platform to correlate suspicious inputs with database-side effects.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-69240

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Sequelize to version 6.37.4 or later across all Node.js applications using the Oracle dialect.
Audit application code for locations that pass untrusted input into Sequelize queries as raw strings and refactor to use parameterized bindings.
Rotate database credentials for Oracle accounts used by exposed Sequelize services if injection activity is suspected.

Patch Information

The issue is fixed in Sequelize 6.37.4. The patch validates that string inputs beginning with TO_TIMESTAMP_TZ or TO_DATE conform to the expected Oracle function syntax before bypassing quote escaping. See the GitHub Release v6.37.4 and the fix commit 5deadd2 for details.

Workarounds

Reject or strictly validate any application input that begins with TO_TIMESTAMP or TO_DATE at the API boundary until the upgrade is deployed.
Enforce allow-list input validation for fields bound to Sequelize queries, particularly date and timestamp fields, using strict format checks.
Restrict database privileges for the Sequelize service account to the minimum required, limiting the blast radius of successful injection.

bash

# Upgrade Sequelize to the patched release
npm install sequelize@^6.37.4

# Verify installed version
npm ls sequelize