CVE-2023-1409 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2023
If the MongoDB Server running on Windows or macOS is configured to use TLS with a specific set of configuration options that are already known to work securely in other platforms (e.g. Linux), it is possible that client certificate validation may not be in effect, potentially allowing client to establish a TLS connection with the server that supplies any certificate.
This issue affect all MongoDB Server v6.3 versions, MongoDB Server v5.0 versions v5.0.0 to v5.0.14 and all MongoDB Server v4.4 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-1409 represents a critical security flaw in MongoDB Server implementations across Windows and macOS platforms where TLS client certificate validation can be bypassed due to misconfigured security parameters. This issue specifically impacts MongoDB server versions 4.4, 5.0, and 6.3, creating a potential attack vector where malicious actors could establish unauthorized TLS connections without proper client authentication. The flaw arises from the inconsistent handling of TLS configuration options between different operating systems, where configuration parameters that function securely on Linux platforms fail to enforce proper client certificate validation on Windows and macOS systems. This discrepancy creates an environment where the server accepts any client certificate during TLS handshakes, effectively nullifying the intended authentication mechanism.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from how MongoDB handles TLS certificate validation routines across different operating environments, particularly in the context of certificate verification processes. When MongoDB servers are configured with specific TLS settings that are known to work securely on Linux systems, these same configurations fail to properly validate client certificates on Windows and macOS platforms. This creates a scenario where the server's certificate validation logic becomes ineffective, allowing any client to establish a TLS connection regardless of whether they possess a valid certificate that should be required for authentication. The vulnerability essentially allows for a downgrade in security posture where the expected mutual TLS authentication fails to function as designed, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized access to database resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of MongoDB deployments that rely on TLS mutual authentication. Organizations running MongoDB servers on Windows or macOS systems with the affected configurations face significant risks including unauthorized database access, potential data exfiltration, and compromise of sensitive information stored within the database. The vulnerability affects all versions mentioned, indicating a widespread issue that would require extensive remediation efforts across multiple release branches. Attackers could exploit this weakness by establishing TLS connections to MongoDB servers without presenting valid client certificates, potentially gaining access to database resources that should be protected by proper authentication mechanisms. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and could lead to severe data breaches or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate configuration adjustments to ensure proper TLS certificate validation across all supported platforms. Organizations must verify their MongoDB TLS configurations and ensure that client certificate validation is explicitly enabled and properly enforced regardless of the operating system platform. The recommended approach involves implementing explicit TLS configuration parameters that mandate client certificate validation and testing these configurations across all target platforms to ensure consistent behavior. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized TLS connections and certificate validation failures to detect potential exploitation attempts. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability relates to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues in security configurations, while ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1566 for credential harvesting through network protocols. Regular security audits and configuration reviews should be conducted to prevent similar issues from arising in future deployments, particularly focusing on cross-platform security consistency and proper TLS implementation practices.