CVE-2026-120953 in Atlas SQL JDBC Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2026
A URI redirection weakness exists in the authentication component of the Atlas SQL JDBC Driver. During an interactive sign-in flow the driver accepts endpoint addresses supplied by the remote endpoint it is pointed at without validating their scheme, and passes the resulting address to the local default protocol handler. An unauthenticated remote party that controls the endpoint a user elects to connect to may cause an address of its choosing to be opened on the user's system; user interaction is required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Atlas SQL JDBC Driver represents a critical flaw within its authentication component, specifically categorized as an Open Redirect weakness or URI Redirection via Untrusted Search Entry. This issue stems from the driver's failure to validate the scheme of endpoint addresses provided during interactive sign-in flows. When a user initiates a connection to a remote database server, the driver accepts the target address supplied by that remote entity without performing sufficient checks on its protocol specification. Instead of restricting operations to expected SQL-related protocols such as TCP or SSL over specific ports, the implementation blindly passes this unvalidated address to the local default protocol handler in the underlying Java runtime environment. This architectural oversight allows an attacker who controls a malicious endpoint to dictate which resource is opened on the victim's system, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries that rely on strict protocol enforcement.
From a technical perspective, the core of this vulnerability lies in the lack of input validation regarding the URI scheme. In typical JDBC operations, one expects connections to be established via database-specific protocols like jdbc:mysql or jdbc:postgresql. However, because the driver accepts any endpoint address and delegates it to the default handler without filtering for allowed schemes, an attacker can inject URIs using dangerous protocols such as file://, http://, https://, or even ftp:// depending on the installed JRE modules. If a user interacts with this malicious flow by clicking through authentication prompts or confirming connection details, their system will attempt to open the specified resource locally. This behavior transforms what should be a database connectivity function into an arbitrary file reader or web request initiator, leveraging the trust relationship between the application and its local environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on applications that utilize the Atlas SQL JDBC Driver for data access. An unauthenticated remote attacker can craft a malicious server address that redirects users to phishing sites designed to steal credentials, thereby facilitating social engineering attacks beyond just technical exploitation. Furthermore, if the default handler supports file protocols and appropriate permissions are granted within the Java Security Manager or sandbox environment, an attacker could potentially read sensitive local files from the user's machine. This capability compromises data confidentiality by exposing internal documents, configuration files, or other private information stored on the endpoint device. The requirement for user interaction means that this vulnerability is primarily exploitable through targeted campaigns where social engineering plays a key role in tricking users into initiating connections to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
This flaw aligns with CWE-601, which describes URL Redirection to Untrusted Site, and falls under the broader category of improper input validation found in CWE-20. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this behavior maps closely to techniques observed in MITRE ATT&CK such as T1583.001 Acquire Infrastructure: Domains or T1606 Forge Credentials if used for phishing, though the primary mechanism here is redirection leading to potential data exfiltration via file access. The vulnerability highlights a common pitfall in Java-based database drivers where flexibility in connection strings inadvertently introduces security risks when scheme validation is omitted.
To mitigate this risk, developers and system administrators should immediately update the Atlas SQL JDBC Driver to a patched version that enforces strict allow-listing of permitted URI schemes during authentication flows. It is essential that only expected database protocols are accepted for redirection or endpoint resolution. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level controls such as firewalls and proxy servers to monitor and restrict outbound connections initiated by Java applications, ensuring they adhere to predefined policies regarding allowed destinations and protocols. Security awareness training for users can also reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation by helping them recognize suspicious connection prompts that deviate from standard database interaction patterns. Regular auditing of third-party library dependencies is crucial to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components used within the application stack.