CVE-2024-3371 in Compass
Summary
by MITRE • 04/24/2024
MongoDB Compass may accept and use insufficiently validated input from an untrusted external source. This may cause unintended application behavior, including data disclosure and enabling attackers to impersonate users. This issue affects MongoDB Compass versions 1.35.0 to 1.40.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2025
MongoDB Compass vulnerability CVE-2024-3371 represents a critical input validation flaw that undermines the security integrity of the database management interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of external inputs, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted data submissions. The affected versions range from 1.35.0 through 1.40.5, indicating a substantial release window where organizations using these versions remain exposed to potential exploitation. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically targeting how Compass processes external data sources, which could include connection strings, configuration parameters, or user-provided data within the graphical interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate MongoDB Compass functionality in ways that were not intended by the application's design. When insufficiently validated input is processed, the application may inadvertently execute unintended operations that could result in unauthorized data access or disclosure. This occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or verify the integrity of external inputs before incorporating them into its operational flow. The vulnerability creates a condition where untrusted data can influence application behavior, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or unauthorized access to database resources. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a classic case of insufficient input validation that can lead to various downstream security implications.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3371 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises user impersonation capabilities within the MongoDB Compass environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could potentially assume the identity of legitimate users, gaining access to database resources and operations that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This impersonation capability significantly amplifies the potential damage, as it allows for persistent unauthorized access rather than isolated incidents. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms within Compass, potentially enabling attackers to perform administrative operations or access sensitive database information. Organizations relying on MongoDB Compass for database management face serious risks including data breaches, unauthorized database modifications, and potential compliance violations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations targeting the identified vulnerability by upgrading to patched versions of MongoDB Compass that address the insufficient input validation issue. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the updated software to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly resolved without introducing new operational issues. Security teams must also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of MongoDB Compass installations to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough audits of their database access controls and user permissions to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred prior to patching. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation," and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, as attackers can potentially impersonate users and gain elevated access to database resources. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts, particularly around database connection parameters and user authentication sequences.