CVE-2025-7259 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2025
An authorized user can issue queries with duplicate _id fields, that leads to unexpected behavior in MongoDB Server, which may result to crash. This issue can only be triggered by authorized users and cause Denial of Service. This issue affects MongoDB Server v8.1 version 8.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2025
This vulnerability in MongoDB Server version 8.1.0 represents a denial of service condition that arises from improper handling of duplicate _id fields in query operations. The flaw specifically affects authorized users who can manipulate document insertion or update operations to include duplicate identifiers within the same collection. When such duplicate _id values are processed by the server, the database engine encounters unexpected behavior that ultimately leads to system instability and potential crash conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in the server's data validation and processing mechanisms, particularly when dealing with document identifier conflicts that should normally be prevented through database constraints. This issue falls under the category of improper input validation and can be classified as a CWE-20 weakness related to improper input sanitization. The attack vector requires authentication and authorization privileges, meaning that only legitimate users with appropriate access rights can exploit this vulnerability, which limits its exposure but does not eliminate the risk of service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from MongoDB's handling of document identification during query execution and data modification operations. When a user submits a query or operation containing duplicate _id fields, the server's internal processing logic fails to properly manage these conflicting identifiers, resulting in a cascade of errors that can cause the mongod process to terminate unexpectedly. The server's response to duplicate identifiers during indexing, updating, or retrieval operations creates a condition where memory management becomes corrupted or the internal data structures become inconsistent. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which involves disruption of services through resource exhaustion or process termination. The vulnerability specifically impacts MongoDB Server's ability to maintain consistent state during document operations, creating a scenario where legitimate database operations can be disrupted by carefully crafted inputs containing duplicate identifiers. The issue affects the server's core functionality and can result in complete service unavailability for the affected database instance.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-7259 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise database availability and integrity within the affected MongoDB deployment. Authorized users with malicious intent can exploit this vulnerability to repeatedly crash database processes, leading to extended downtime and potential data access issues for legitimate users. The vulnerability's requirement for authorized access means that it cannot be exploited by external attackers without first gaining legitimate credentials, but this limitation does not prevent insider threats or compromised accounts from causing significant disruption. Organizations running MongoDB Server version 8.1.0 should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat to service availability, particularly in environments where database uptime is essential for business operations. The impact is amplified in production environments where database stability directly affects application performance and user experience. Recovery from such incidents may require manual intervention including database restarts, process monitoring, and potential data recovery procedures that can result in significant operational overhead and service interruption periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-7259 should focus on immediate patching and operational controls to prevent exploitation. MongoDB Server version 8.1.0 users must upgrade to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability, as the issue is specific to the 8.1.0 release and subsequent patches have been implemented to prevent duplicate _id processing errors. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitoring for database operations that involve document insertion or modification, particularly those that might introduce duplicate identifiers. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by reducing the number of authorized users who can perform operations that trigger this vulnerability. Database administrators should establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual patterns of query execution that might indicate attempted exploitation, including monitoring for repeated operations that could lead to server crashes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at application level and using database constraints to prevent duplicate _id entries can provide defense-in-depth measures against this specific vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing automated alerting systems that can detect process termination or unexpected server behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include verification of database server configurations to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed through patch management and configuration hardening.