CVE-2018-25004 in MongoDB
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2021
A user authorized to performing a specific type of query may trigger a denial of service by issuing a generic explain command on a find query. This issue affects: MongoDB Inc. MongoDB Server v4.0 versions prior to 4.0.6; MongoDB Server v3.6 versions prior to 3.6.11.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
This vulnerability represents a denial of service condition that specifically targets MongoDB server implementations prior to certain patch releases. The flaw manifests when an authenticated user executes a generic explain command against a find query, causing the database server to become unresponsive or crash entirely. The issue affects two major version lines of MongoDB server software, demonstrating the persistence of certain architectural weaknesses across different release branches. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that any user with appropriate access privileges can trigger the denial of service condition without requiring administrative privileges or special escalation techniques.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from how MongoDB handles the explain command when processing find queries, creating a condition where the server's resource management fails to properly handle certain query execution paths. This flaw operates at the database engine level, affecting the server's ability to maintain stable operations when processing specific combinations of query parameters and explain directives. The vulnerability exists in the query execution engine's response handling mechanism, where the server fails to properly validate or limit the resources consumed during explain operations on find queries. This represents a classic resource exhaustion scenario where the server's response to a legitimate administrative command becomes a vector for service disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially affecting database availability for all users of the affected MongoDB instances. When exploited, the denial of service condition can render the database server unusable until manual intervention occurs, requiring restart procedures that may result in data loss or service downtime. Organizations running affected MongoDB versions face significant risk during peak usage periods when the vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt critical database operations. The impact is particularly severe in environments where MongoDB serves as a core component of application infrastructure, as the service disruption can cascade to affect multiple dependent systems and applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected MongoDB server installations to versions 4.0.6 or later for the 4.0 line, and 3.6.11 or later for the 3.6 line. Organizations should prioritize updating their MongoDB deployments and conduct thorough testing to ensure that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications. Network segmentation and access control measures can provide additional defense in depth, limiting the ability of unauthorized users to execute potentially malicious queries against the database. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of explain command usage that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing proper logging of database operations for forensic analysis. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-400 which addresses improper resource management, and represents a specific instance of how database engines can be made vulnerable through improper handling of administrative commands. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as it allows authenticated users to disrupt service availability without requiring elevated privileges.