CVE-2026-25613 represents a high-severity vulnerability in MongoDB, specifically allowing an authorized user to disable the MongoDB server by issuing a query against a collection containing an invalid compound wildcard index. With a CVSS score of 7.1, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that rely on MongoDB for their database services. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is low, indicating that attackers could exploit this vulnerability with relative ease.
The risk to organizations includes potential downtime of the MongoDB server, which can disrupt services and operations. Given the nature of this vulnerability, it is crucial for organizations to address it in their patching cycles. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately as this vulnerability could be exploited without requiring high privileges or user interaction.
The urgency for defenders is heightened, especially since the exploitability of this vulnerability is classified as high. Although there are no known exploits available in public databases such as ExploitDB or GitHub, the potential for an attacker to disable a production database makes this a critical issue that requires immediate attention.
Organizations using MongoDB must remain vigilant and ensure that they have the latest patches applied to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2026-25613.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states that an authorized user may disable the MongoDB server by issuing a query against a collection that contains an invalid compound wildcard index. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-704, indicating improper control of a resource through a poorly constructed query. The CVSS v4.0 score of 7.1 is significant, and it highlights the risk due to the high availability impact that this vulnerability can cause.
This vulnerability affects all versions of MongoDB from 7.0.0 to below 7.0.29, from 8.0.0 to below 8.0.18, and from 8.2.0 to below 8.2.4. Organizations need to ensure they are aware of the specific versions impacted and take necessary actions to remediate.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2026-25613 lies in the improper handling of queries involving invalid compound wildcard indexes. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability via a network attack vector, and the attack complexity is rated as low, meaning that an attacker with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability without requiring user interaction. The availability impact is rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation can lead to significant downtime.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using MongoDB face a considerable risk if this vulnerability goes unaddressed. The potential blast radius includes any application or service relying on MongoDB, leading to widespread disruptions. With a CVSS score indicating high severity, this vulnerability should be prioritized in the patching cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects MongoDB versions 7.0.0 up to, but not including, 7.0.29; 8.0.0 up to, but not including, 8.0.18; and 8.2.0 up to, but not including, 8.2.4. Organizations should ensure that they are running on patched versions to avoid this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest version of MongoDB that addresses this vulnerability. If a patch is not immediately available, it is essential to implement workarounds to limit exposure, including restricting access to the database and monitoring query patterns closely. Additionally, organizations can benefit from penetration testing to identify any similar weaknesses within their environment.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual queries, especially those targeting collections with compound wildcard indexes. Behavioural anomalies, such as sudden drops in server performance or unexpected shutdowns, should also be logged and investigated. Implementing network signatures that can alert on suspicious query patterns may help in identifying attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2026-25613 highlights the importance of robust query validation and proper index management in database systems. As organizations continue to leverage MongoDB for its scalability and performance, understanding how vulnerabilities like this can impact operations is crucial. This incident serves as a reminder for security teams to regularly review their database configurations and apply security best practices.
For organizations looking to improve their security posture, implementing a comprehensive penetration testing methodology can provide insights into potential vulnerabilities across various systems.
Additionally, organizations can leverage ongoing assessments to ensure that their configurations remain secure, particularly in light of new vulnerabilities. Continuous security awareness and training can mitigate risks as security teams adapt to emerging threats.
For further resources and guidance on securing your databases, organizations are encouraged to explore our offerings on vulnerability management programs and best practices in application security.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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