MongoDB Server Vulnerability Allows Unauthenticated Attackers to Crash Database Servers

Key Findings:

• A critical vulnerability in MongoDB allows unauthenticated attackers to crash database servers

• The flaw, tracked as CVE-2022-29464, has a CVSS score of 8.7 and can lead to Denial of Service (DoS) conditions

• The vulnerability is caused by a memory exhaustion issue that can be triggered without any authentication

Background

MongoDB is a popular open-source NoSQL database management system that is widely adopted by organizations for its flexibility and scalability. However, a recently disclosed vulnerability in MongoDB has raised concerns about the security of this database platform.

Memory Exhaustion Vulnerability

The vulnerability, CVE-2022-29464, is a memory exhaustion issue that can be triggered by unauthenticated attackers. When exploited, the flaw can cause the target MongoDB server to crash, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) condition.

• The vulnerability is caused by a bug in the way MongoDB handles certain types of requests, which can lead to excessive memory consumption.

• An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted request to the MongoDB server, causing it to allocate a large amount of memory and eventually crash.

• The crash can result in the unavailability of the database, potentially disrupting critical business operations that rely on the MongoDB infrastructure.

Impact and Severity

The CVE-2022-29464 vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 8.7, indicating a high level of severity. The high score is due to the vulnerability's ease of exploitation and the potential for significant impact on the affected systems.

• The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by unauthenticated attackers, making it a significant threat to MongoDB deployments.

• The crash of the MongoDB server can lead to data unavailability, potentially causing disruptions to mission-critical applications and services that rely on the database.

• The vulnerability affects all versions of MongoDB, including the latest release, making it a widespread issue that requires immediate attention and remediation.

Mitigation and Patch

MongoDB has released a patch to address the CVE-2022-29464 vulnerability. Users are strongly advised to apply the patch as soon as possible to protect their MongoDB deployments from potential attacks.

• The patch addresses the underlying memory exhaustion issue and prevents the vulnerability from being exploited.

• In addition to applying the patch, users should also ensure that their MongoDB deployments are properly configured and secured, following best practices for database security.

• Regular database backups and monitoring of system logs can also help detect and mitigate potential attacks.

By addressing this critical vulnerability in a timely manner, organizations can safeguard their MongoDB-based systems and maintain the availability and integrity of their data.

Sources

• https://securityonline.info/mongodb-flaw-allows-unauthenticated-attackers-to-crash-database-servers/

• https://securityonline.info/5g-core-breach-critical-hpe-aruba-flaw-allows-unauthenticated-admin-takeover/