CVE-2015-7882 in MongoDB
Summary
by MITRE
Improper handling of LDAP authentication in MongoDB Server versions 3.0.0 to 3.0.6 allows an unauthenticated client to gain unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7882 represents a critical flaw in MongoDB server authentication mechanisms affecting versions 3.0.0 through 3.0.6. This issue stems from improper handling of Lightweight Directory Access Protocol authentication credentials within the MongoDB server implementation. The flaw allows an attacker to bypass the authentication process entirely, enabling unauthorized access to database resources without proper credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts the server's ability to correctly validate LDAP authentication requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's security controls.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the server's insufficient validation of authentication parameters during LDAP bind operations. When MongoDB processes authentication requests from clients using LDAP, the server fails to properly verify the legitimacy of the authentication credentials provided. This improper handling creates a condition where an unauthenticated client can manipulate the authentication flow to gain access to protected database resources. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to forge or bypass the authentication mechanism entirely, undermining the fundamental security model of the database system. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in the authentication process validation, allowing privilege escalation through malformed authentication requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7882 is severe and potentially devastating for organizations relying on MongoDB server versions within the affected range. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can gain full access to database contents without requiring legitimate credentials, potentially leading to data breaches, information disclosure, and system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core security model of MongoDB, making it particularly dangerous as it allows unauthorized access to all database resources. Organizations may face significant regulatory and compliance issues if sensitive data is compromised through this vulnerability, as it represents a fundamental failure in access control mechanisms. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data manipulation, deletion, and exfiltration operations that could severely damage organizational systems and reputation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7882 primarily focus on immediate software updates and configuration changes to address the authentication flaw. Organizations should immediately upgrade to MongoDB server versions 3.0.7 or later, which contain the necessary patches to resolve the improper LDAP authentication handling. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging of authentication attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for proper authentication validation and access control measures. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to MongoDB instances, particularly limiting connections to trusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their MongoDB deployments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all authentication mechanisms are properly configured and validated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication flow implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of authentication mechanisms before deployment.