# GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6: Failure to sanitize quotes which can lead to sql injection in squel

> The squel library fails to sanitize quotes in setFields, allowing SQL injection via user input. Developers should switch to a secure query builder.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 14 Jun 2019

## What is GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6?

GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 is a SQL injection vulnerability in squel, published on 14 Jun 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

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.

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including squel.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `squel` | npm | All versions to 5.13.0 | None |
| `squel` | npm | All versions to 5.13.0 | None |

## How do I fix GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6?

No fix has been published for GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 is a SQL injection vulnerability in squel, published on 14 Jun 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- squel (npm): affected all versions up to 5.13.0; no fix listed
- squel (npm): affected all versions up to 5.13.0; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-4qhx-g9wp-g9m6/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.