# CVE-2025-71316: SQLite sqldiff.exe arbitrary DLL loading via Unicode conversion error

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-71316-sqlite-sqldiff-exe-arbitrary-dll-loading-via-unicode-conversion  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-04. Updated: 2026-06-04  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2025-71316 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-06-04

A vulnerability in the SQLite 'sqldiff' utility on Windows allows an attacker to trick the program into loading malicious code. By using specially crafted characters in a command, an attacker can bypass security checks because the system incorrectly translates those characters. This could allow a local user to gain unauthorized control over the system or access sensitive data.

Vendors: [SQLite](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/sqlite).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2025-71316 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-71316 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2025-71316?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 4 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** SQLite Sqldiff.Exe Fixed on or around 2025-12-26.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2025-71316?** A patch was published on 2025-12-26: Fixed on or around this date. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2025-71316 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2025-71316?** Check whether you run SQLite Sqldiff.Exe at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a CWE-176 (Improper Handling of Unicode Encoding) issue within the 'sqldiff.exe' tool on Windows. It stems from the use of the Microsoft Windows C runtime (specifically GetCommandLineA) which performs lossy conversion of Unicode characters to the ANSI codepage. An attacker can provide a crafted command-line string where Unicode characters (such as U+2010) are converted to ASCII characters (such as the '-' hyphen). This allows an attacker to inject the '-L' command-line option, which is used to load arbitrary DLLs, by making a file argument appear as a command option. The issue was addressed in late December 2025.

## Affected products

- SQLite sqldiff.exe Fixed on or around 2025-12-26

## Timeline

- 2025-12-26: patched: Fixed on or around this date.
- 2026-06-04: disclosed: CVE published.

## References

- [https://i.blackhat.com/EU-24/Presentations/EU-24-Tsai-V2-WorstFit-Unveiling-Hidden-Transformers-in-Windows-ANSI.pdf](https://i.blackhat.com/EU-24/Presentations/EU-24-Tsai-V2-WorstFit-Unveiling-Hidden-Transformers-in-Windows-ANSI.pdf)
- [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/processenv/nf-processenv-getcommandlinea](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/processenv/nf-processenv-getcommandlinea)
- [https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-155-01.json](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/IT/white/2026/va-26-155-01.json)
- [https://sqlite.org/src/file/tool/winmain.c](https://sqlite.org/src/file/tool/winmain.c)
- [https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-71316](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-71316)