# GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826: sqlite3-ruby: Use-After-Free in SQLite Aggregate Arguments in Heap-Allocated Argument Array

> A use-after-free in sqlite3-ruby allows attackers to cause crashes or incorrect data processing by influencing TEXT or BLOB column sizes in multi-argument aggregates.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 2 Oct 2026

## What is GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826?

GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826 is an use after free vulnerability in sqlite3, published on 2 Oct 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

## Summary

Using `Database#create_aggregate`, `#create_aggregate_handler`, or `Database#define_aggregator` to define an aggregate function that takes two or more arguments, and then evaluating it over TEXT or BLOB column values, can free the Ruby objects holding those arguments while a later argument is still being converted, during ordinary garbage collection. The aggregate's `step` method then receives an incorrect object, or the process crashes with a segmentation fault.

## Mitigation

Upgrade to sqlite3 gem v2.9.6 or later.

There is no reliable workaround. If you cannot upgrade, avoid defining aggregate functions that take two or more arguments. Restricting column value sizes is not a mitigation: smaller values make the defect fire less often but do not prevent it.

## Severity

The sqlite3-ruby maintainers assess this as Medium severity (CVSS 4.0 score 6.3). It is reached through ordinary garbage collection without any unusual code structuring: an application is exposed whenever it evaluates a multi-argument aggregate over TEXT or BLOB values whose size an attacker can influence. The demonstrated impact is an incorrect value passed to the aggregate's `step` method, or a process crash; no controlled memory write or general denial-of-service exploit has been demonstrated.

## Credits

Reported by Jeremy Daer ([@jeremy](https://github.com/jeremy)).

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including sqlite3.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `sqlite3` | RubyGems | From 1.4.0 | 2.9.6 |
| `sqlite3` | RubyGems | From 1.4.0 | 2.9.6 |

## How do I fix GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826?

Upgrade sqlite3 to 2.9.6 or later.

## Is GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826 is an use after free vulnerability in sqlite3, published on 2 Oct 2026. 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-mwm8-39rw-8826 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- sqlite3 (RubyGems): affected from 1.4.0; fixed in 2.9.6
- sqlite3 (RubyGems): affected from 1.4.0; fixed in 2.9.6

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-mwm8-39rw-8826/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-mwm8-39rw-8826/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.