Ethical Hacking News
Critical flaws in Mongoose library expose MongoDB to data theft and code execution. Mongoose's widespread adoption makes it a prime target for hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to sensitive data. Users must upgrade to the latest version of Mongoose to mitigate this threat.
MongoDB relies on a third-party library called Mongoose, which is vulnerable to two critical SQL injection bugs. The first bug (CVE-2024-53900) allows remote code execution and data theft due to the use of $where operator in conjunction with populate() method. A bypass was discovered in the patched version (8.8.3), allowing for further exploitation, but addressed in later patch (8.9.5) as CVE-2025-23061. The vulnerability can be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorized access to MongoDB data and lead to RCE, data theft, manipulation, or destruction. OPSWAT advises upgrading to the latest version of Mongoose (8.10.0) to mitigate the threat.
A recent discovery by security researchers at OPSWAT has shed light on two critical vulnerabilities in a third-party library that MongoDB relies on, posing a significant threat to the integrity of data stored in MongoDB databases. The affected library is Mongoose, an Object Data Modeling (ODM) library for MongoDB that enables database integrations in Node.js applications.
Mongoose has 19,593 dependents, according to its Node Package Manager page, and over 27,000 stars on GitHub. This widespread usage of the library has made it a prime target for hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. In this article, we will delve into the details of these critical flaws, their impact on MongoDB users, and the necessary steps that can be taken to mitigate the threat.
The first vulnerability, CVE-2024-53900 (9.1), is a classic SQL injection bug that allows an attacker to bypass MongoDB's server-side JavaScript restrictions. This bug is caused by Mongoose's populate() method, which can be used in conjunction with the $where operator to execute malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can lead to remote code execution (RCE) and potentially result in data theft, manipulation, or destruction.
In November 2024, Dat Phung, a researcher from Vietnam and distinguished fellow at OPSWAT's Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Graduate Fellowship Program, reported the vulnerability. Mongoose patched the issue in version 8.8.3, disallowing the use of $where in match queries to prevent this type of exploitation.
However, in December 2024, Phung discovered a bypass in the patched version that still allowed for RCE and could lead to data theft. The vulnerability was addressed in version 8.9.5, which received CVE-2025-23061 (9.0). This latest patch is crucial because it ensures that Mongoose will no longer allow $where operators to be used in conjunction with $or queries, thereby preventing the bypass.
According to OPSWAT's report, when an attacker embeds $where inside an $or operator, the library inspects only the top-level properties of each object in the match array. This means that the payload remains undetected and eventually reaches the sift library, enabling malicious RCE. The researchers noted that this bypass can be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorized access to MongoDB data.
The impact of these critical flaws cannot be overstated. Mongoose's widespread adoption and the fact that it is used in conjunction with MongoDB make it a prime target for hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can lead to RCE, data theft, manipulation, or destruction.
OPSWAT advises all users to upgrade to the latest version of Mongoose (8.10.0) to mitigate the threat. This is essential to prevent potential attacks by hackers who are looking to exploit these critical vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the vendor released proof-of-concept exploits for both vulnerabilities, which further emphasizes the importance of applying the fixes before attackers get their hands on them.
The discovery of these critical flaws in Mongoose highlights the need for users to keep tools up to date and monitor updates regularly. Bugs in software like Mongoose might seem like a small problem but can have a ripple effect if hackers find and use them first. As Connor Jones, the researcher who reported the vulnerability, noted, "Building apps is like building with LEGO bricks – you use lots of small pieces to make something big. But if even one brick is broken, the whole thing could fall apart."
In conclusion, these critical flaws in Mongoose expose MongoDB to data theft and code execution. It is crucial for users to upgrade to the latest version of Mongoose and apply the necessary patches to mitigate this threat. By taking proactive steps to keep tools up to date, users can prevent potential attacks by hackers who are looking to exploit these vulnerabilities.
Related Information:
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/02/20/mongoose_flaws_mongodb/
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-53900
https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2024-53900/
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-23061
https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2025-23061/
Published: Thu Feb 20 11:54:17 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
