CVE-2026-88028 in Laravel
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2026
Improper neutralization of special elements in data query logic in the polymorphic relation handling of the MongoDB integration for Laravel can cause a caller-supplied relation identifier to be interpreted as a query condition rather than as a literal identifier. An authenticated user who can influence a stored relation identifier may cause an affected application to return a document other than the intended relation target.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical injection flaw within the MongoDB integration layer for Laravel applications, specifically affecting how polymorphic relations are processed during database queries. This issue stems from improper neutralization of special elements in data query logic, which allows an attacker to manipulate the interpretation of relation identifiers. In standard object-relational mapping or document-mapping scenarios, relation identifiers such as foreign keys or type tags should be treated strictly as literal values that define relationships between entities. However, due to this flaw, user-supplied input intended for these identifiers is not adequately sanitized before being incorporated into the query construction process. Consequently, special characters or syntactic structures within the input can alter the logical structure of the database query itself rather than remaining inert data fields.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, commonly known as Improper Control of Generation of Code or Query (Code Injection), and more specifically CWE-610, which relates to External Control of Key Database Structure Elements. The core mechanism involves the application failing to distinguish between data intended for filtering conditions and metadata defining structural relationships. When an authenticated user influences a stored relation identifier, they can inject query operators or logical constructs that bypass expected constraints. For instance, by injecting specific characters into a polymorphic type field or foreign key reference, the attacker forces the MongoDB driver to interpret part of their input as a conditional operator rather than a string value. This effectively transforms a simple lookup operation into an arbitrary data retrieval command controlled by the user's input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, primarily affecting the confidentiality and integrity of application data. An authenticated attacker who can manipulate these relation identifiers may cause the affected application to return documents that were not intended as part of the requested relationship. This leads to unauthorized information disclosure, where sensitive records belonging to other users or system components are exposed through legitimate API endpoints or page loads. Furthermore, depending on how the returned data is processed by the frontend or subsequent backend logic, this could potentially lead to further exploitation vectors such as cross-site scripting if the leaked data contains executable content, although the primary risk remains unauthorized access to restricted database records.
This behavior maps directly to several techniques within the MITRE ATT&CK framework. It corresponds to T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically through SQL or NoSQL injection variants, as it involves manipulating query logic via input. More precisely, it aligns with T1190, Exploit Public-Facing Application, if the vulnerability is triggered over a network interface, and T1213, Data from Information Repositories, which covers the exfiltration of data through database queries. The attack requires authentication, placing it within the scope of lateral movement or privilege escalation scenarios where an existing low-privilege account is leveraged to access higher-sensitivity data stores that should otherwise be isolated by relationship boundaries.
Mitigation strategies must focus on strict input validation and secure query construction practices. Developers should ensure that all relation identifiers are treated as literal strings, utilizing parameterized queries or explicit type casting mechanisms provided by the Laravel MongoDB package to prevent interpretation of special characters as query operators. Implementing allowlists for valid polymorphic types can also restrict the range of acceptable inputs, reducing the attack surface significantly. Additionally, applying principle of least privilege to database accounts ensures that even if an injection occurs, the potential damage is contained within limited permissions. Regular security audits and static analysis tools configured to detect NoSQL injection patterns are recommended to identify similar flaws in other parts of the application codebase before deployment.