CVE-2026-9192 in MarkLogic Server
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2026
An authentication bypass vulnerability in the ODBC App Server of Progress MarkLogic Server before 11.3.6 and 12.0.3 allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to bypass password verification and execute queries with the privileges of any named user known to the server, including administrators.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical authentication flaw in Progress MarkLogic Server's ODBC App Server component that undermines the fundamental security model of the database system. The issue exists in versions prior to 11.3.6 and 12.0.3 where an unauthenticated remote attacker can bypass password verification mechanisms entirely, gaining access to the system with the privileges of any known user account including administrative roles. This authentication bypass affects the ODBC App Server which serves as a gateway for database connectivity through Open Database Connectivity standards, making it a prime target for exploitation in environments where ODBC connections are utilized.
The technical flaw stems from improper validation of authentication credentials within the ODBC App Server implementation. When a client attempts to establish an ODBC connection to the MarkLogic server, the system should verify the provided credentials before granting access to database resources. However, due to this vulnerability, the authentication process fails to properly validate user credentials, allowing attackers to forge valid connection requests without actual authentication. The flaw specifically impacts how the server handles named user accounts, enabling attackers to specify any known username in their connection attempts and gain corresponding privileges without presenting valid passwords.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing Progress MarkLogic Server. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter, eliminating the need for prior access or credentials to compromise the system. Once exploited, attackers can execute database queries with the privileges of any user account known to the server, including those with administrative capabilities that could enable complete system compromise. This vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor mechanism that bypasses all standard authentication controls, potentially allowing data exfiltration, modification of critical database content, or even complete system takeover depending on the privileges assigned to the targeted accounts.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to versions 11.3.6 or 12.0.3 where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper authentication validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to ODBC ports and services, limiting exposure of the vulnerable component to unauthorized networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual connection patterns or attempts to access database resources with known user accounts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering tactics that could be leveraged to identify valid user accounts for exploitation.
The remediation process requires careful planning as organizations must ensure all instances of MarkLogic Server are updated across their infrastructure. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions and prioritize patching based on risk exposure levels. Regular security audits should verify that authentication mechanisms remain properly configured after updates, ensuring that access controls function as intended. Organizations may also consider implementing additional layers of protection such as database activity monitoring tools that can detect unauthorized access attempts or anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication implementation in database systems and highlights how a single flaw can undermine the security posture of entire organizations. The ease with which remote attackers can exploit this issue without requiring prior access or credentials makes it particularly dangerous in environments where database systems contain sensitive information. Security teams should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could be exploited as part of broader attack campaigns targeting database infrastructure. Regular security training for administrators and developers on authentication best practices remains essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software implementations.