MongoDB Vulnerabilities Let Attackers Escalate Privileges

MongoDB has disclosed a critical vulnerability that could allow attackers to escalate privileges on systems running certain versions of MongoDB.

This vulnerability, CVE-2024-7553, affects multiple versions of MongoDB Server, C Driver, and PHP Driver. The flaw stems from incorrect validation of files loaded from a local untrusted directory, particularly impacting systems running on Windows.

CVE-2024-7553 – Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284: Improper Access Control. It arises from MongoDB’s failure to validate files from untrusted directories properly.

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This oversight can lead to local privilege escalation, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary behavior based on the contents of these untrusted files.

The issue is particularly concerning as it could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges on the affected systems, potentially compromising sensitive data and system integrity.

Affected Versions

The following MongoDB products and versions are affected by this vulnerability:

Product	Affected Versions
MongoDB Server	v5.0 versions prior to 5.0.27
	v6.0 versions prior to 6.0.16
	v7.0 versions prior to 7.0.12
	v7.3 versions prior to 7.3.3
MongoDB C Driver	Versions prior to 1.26.2
MongoDB PHP Driver	Versions prior to 1.18.1

The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.3, indicating a high severity level. The score reflects the potential to significantly impact the affected systems’ confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The attack vector is local, with low attack complexity and low privileges required, making it a relatively accessible exploit for attackers with local access to the system.

MongoDB has released patches to address this vulnerability. Users are strongly advised to update the latest versions of the affected products to mitigate the risk.

Specifically, upgrading to MongoDB Server v5.0.27, v6.0.16, v7.0.12, v7.3.3, MongoDB C Driver 1.26.2, and MongoDB PHP Driver 1.18.1 will resolve the issue.

System administrators should also review security practices and ensure that untrusted directories are managed appropriately to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Regular security audits and adherence to best practices can help safeguard systems against potential threats. While the vulnerability poses a significant risk, timely updates and vigilant security practices can effectively mitigate the threat, ensuring MongoDB deployments’ continued security and integrity.

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