CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-1409NVD status: Modified

MongoDB Server: Improper Certificate Validation

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-1409 is a high-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in MongoDB Server from MongoDB, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected MongoDB Server versions: 6.3 through 6.3.2; 5.0 through 5.0.14; 4.4 through 4.4.23. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.44% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Mongodb to 4.4.23 or 6.0.7, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on jira.mongodb.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
MongoDBMongoDB Server6.3 through 6.3.2; 5.0 through 5.0.14; 4.4 through 4.4.23Not stated
MongoDBMongodb4.4.0 up to, but not including, 4.4.23; 5.0.0 through 5.0.14; 6.0.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.7; 6.3.0 through 6.3.24.4.23, 6.0.7

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
NoneAvailability is not affected.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.15.3MediumCNA (mongodb.com)
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD

Official description

If the MongoDB Server running on Windows or macOS is configured to use TLS with a specific set of configuration options that are already known to work securely in other platforms (e.g. Linux), it is possible that client certificate validation may not be in effect, potentially allowing client to establish a TLS connection with the server that supplies any certificate. This issue affect all MongoDB Server v6.3 versions, MongoDB Server v5.0 versions v5.0.0 to v5.0.14 and all MongoDB Server v4.4 versions.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation

The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
  • If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.

More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in MongoDB Server

All MongoDB Server vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities

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