CVE-2026-13059 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2026
An authenticated user with low privileges may be able to perform unauthorized reads and writes on data protected by role-based query-level access controls, due to insufficient validation of certain client-supplied command parameters. The issue affects find, update, delete, and aggregate commands in non-apiStrict configurations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the integrity of role-based access control mechanisms within database systems. The security weakness stems from inadequate input validation processes that fail to properly sanitize client-supplied command parameters, allowing authenticated but low-privilege users to circumvent query-level access restrictions. The vulnerability specifically targets database operations including find, update, delete, and aggregate commands, which are fundamental to data manipulation and retrieval functions. When operating in non-apiStrict configurations, the system fails to enforce proper parameter validation checks that would normally prevent malicious parameter injection attempts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted command parameters that manipulate the underlying query execution process. Attackers can construct malicious queries that bypass role-based access controls by manipulating how database commands are interpreted and executed. This allows unauthorized data reads and writes that should only be accessible to users with elevated privileges, effectively creating a backdoor for privilege escalation within the database environment. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices that align with common weakness patterns identified in CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation issues.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on role-based access controls for data protection. Low-privilege users can potentially access sensitive information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel, leading to data breaches and compliance violations. The ability to perform unauthorized writes through manipulated update commands further amplifies the threat, as attackers can modify or corrupt critical data within the database system. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of database resources, representing a fundamental failure in access control enforcement.
Security mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation mechanisms that sanitize all client-supplied inputs before processing database commands, ensuring that query parameters cannot be manipulated to bypass access controls. The system configuration should enforce apiStrict mode whenever possible, as this setting provides additional layers of protection against parameter manipulation attacks. Database administrators should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses across all database operations.
The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting database access control mechanisms. This type of flaw often serves as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks where initial unauthorized access is used to gather intelligence or establish persistent access within the database environment. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions that detect unusual query patterns and parameter manipulation attempts, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Regular security training for database administrators and development teams is essential to prevent similar input validation issues in future system implementations and maintain robust defense-in-depth strategies against credential-based attacks.