CVE-2026-88030 in Ruby Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2026
Improper neutralization of special elements in data query logic in the GridFS component of the MongoDB Ruby Driver can cause a caller-supplied structured file identifier to be interpreted as a query condition rather than as a literal identifier. An authenticated user who can influence the identifier passed by an affected application may obtain stored file content beyond the intended target or cause all GridFS file chunks in the affected bucket to be removed, rendering stored file content unreadable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2026
The vulnerability identified involves improper neutralization of special elements within data query logic, specifically affecting the GridFS component of the MongoDB Ruby Driver. This flaw represents a classic instance of NoSQL injection, where user-supplied input is not adequately sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. In this context, the GridFS mechanism, which handles storage and retrieval of large files by splitting them into chunks, relies on structured file identifiers to locate specific documents within the MongoDB collection. When an application passes a caller-supplied identifier directly into query operations without proper validation or escaping, the driver may interpret special characters or structural elements within that input as part of the query syntax rather than as literal data values. This misinterpretation allows an attacker to manipulate the intended query structure, effectively bypassing the expected filtering logic and altering the scope of database operations performed by the application.
From a technical perspective, this issue stems from how the Ruby driver constructs queries for GridFS files. Typically, file retrieval or deletion requires matching against specific fields such as _id or filename using exact match operators. However, if the input contains MongoDB query operator syntax, such as $gt, $lt, or regex patterns, and these are not properly escaped, they can be executed by the database engine. This allows an authenticated user who has control over the file identifier parameter to inject arbitrary conditions into the query. For instance, instead of retrieving a single specific file, the injected logic could match all files in the bucket if a wildcard or broad condition is introduced. Similarly, deletion operations relying on such identifiers could be coerced into targeting multiple records rather than just the intended one, leading to catastrophic data loss for legitimate users and applications depending on those stored assets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, primarily affecting both confidentiality and integrity within systems utilizing MongoDB GridFS through the Ruby driver. On the confidentiality side, an attacker can exploit the query manipulation to access file content beyond their authorized scope. By crafting a malicious identifier that expands the search criteria, they may retrieve sensitive documents belonging to other users or administrative records intended for internal use only. Regarding integrity and availability, the ability to cause all GridFS file chunks in a specific bucket to be removed poses a significant risk of data loss. If an attacker triggers a deletion operation with an injected wildcard condition, it can result in the permanent erasure of entire sets of files, rendering critical application data unreadable and potentially causing service disruptions until backups are restored or data is manually recovered from secondary sources.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-943, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a NoSQL Query, allowing for injection attacks that alter query intent. Furthermore, it maps to the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059.026, specifically Command Injection via NoSQL queries, where attackers leverage input fields to execute unintended database commands or logic modifications. To mitigate this risk, developers must ensure that all user-supplied identifiers passed to GridFS operations are strictly validated against expected formats, such as ensuring they conform to valid ObjectId patterns without containing special query characters. Utilizing parameterized queries or explicit type casting for identifier fields can prevent the driver from interpreting input strings as complex query objects. Additionally, implementing least-privilege principles for database accounts and auditing file access logs can help detect and limit the blast radius of such exploitation attempts in production environments.