CVE-2021-32036 is a medium-severity vulnerability in MongoDB Server that allows an authenticated user without specific authorizations to repeatedly invoke the features command. Under high-volume usage, this can lead to resource depletion or high lock contention, resulting in a denial of service. While the risk of id field collisions is rare, the potential for service disruption is significant, making this a critical issue for organizations leveraging MongoDB.
The vulnerability affects several versions of MongoDB Server: v5.0 versions prior to and including 5.0.3, v4.4 versions prior to and including 4.4.9, v4.2 versions prior to and including 4.2.16, and v4.0 versions prior to and including 4.0.28. Organizations using these versions should be aware of the exposure and take immediate action.
The CVSS score is 5.4, indicating a medium severity level according to the metrics provided by the official sources. The attack vector is classified as network, requiring low complexity and low privileges, making it easier for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The continuous invocation of the features command could severely impact service availability, and failure to address this vulnerability may leave systems vulnerable to resource exhaustion attacks.
Vulnerability Details
An authenticated user without any specific authorizations may be able to repeatedly invoke the features command, where high volume usage may lead to resource depletion or generate high lock contention. This vulnerability is officially documented in the CVE database and is classified under CWE-770.
MongoDB Server v5.0 versions prior to and including 5.0.3, v4.4 versions prior to and including 4.4.9, v4.2 versions prior to and including 4.2.16, and v4.0 versions prior to and including 4.0.28 are affected. The vulnerability was published on February 4, 2022.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient authorization controls, allowing users to invoke commands that can lead to resource depletion. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no user interaction, and it has a low attack complexity. The privileges required to exploit this vulnerability are low, enabling potential attackers to exploit it easily.
The implications of this vulnerability include low confidentiality impact, low integrity impact, and moderate availability impact. While the integrity of the data is not directly compromised, the availability of the service can be severely affected due to high lock contention or resource exhaustion.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential denial of service due to resource depletion from repeated command invocations. The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is underscored by its medium severity classification, with a CVSS score of 5.4. Organizations should consider the potential for significant service disruption and prioritize patching in their remediation cycles.
Given the potential for system instability, it is crucial for security teams to assess their exposure to this vulnerability across their MongoDB deployments. Organizations using affected versions should schedule remediation as soon as possible to mitigate associated risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
MongoDB Server v5.0 versions prior to and including 5.0.3; MongoDB Server v4.4 versions prior to and including 4.4.9; MongoDB Server v4.2 versions prior to and including 4.2.16; and MongoDB Server v4.0 versions prior to and including 4.0.28 are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must apply the latest patches from MongoDB to remediate this vulnerability. Upgrade to the latest version of MongoDB Server that addresses this issue. If immediate patching is not available, consider implementing rate limiting on command invocations as a temporary workaround.
Additionally, organizations may benefit from conducting a security assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities in their MongoDB deployments. Regularly reviewing access controls and performing network segmentation can also help mitigate risks associated with unauthorized command invocations.
Application security assessments can help uncover similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for abnormal command invocation patterns, especially for the features command. Look for spikes in command usage that may indicate resource exhaustion attempts.
Additionally, monitoring system performance metrics can provide insights into resource contention issues that may arise from repeated command invocations.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust access controls in database systems. As attackers continually seek ways to exploit weaknesses in systems, security teams must remain vigilant and proactive in their defenses.
Regularly updating systems and conducting thorough security assessments are essential practices to ensure vulnerabilities are identified and remediated before they can be exploited. Organizations should consider employing continuous penetration testing to maintain a strong security posture.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the evolving threat landscape and the need for organizations to adapt their security strategies accordingly. Engaging in proactive security measures can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation.
Vulnerability management programs can aid in identifying and prioritizing risks effectively.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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