CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-88032NVD status: Analyzed

Java Driver: Use After Free

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-88032 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Java Driver 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. The record lists version 5.11.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating Java Driver to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.26% 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 Java Driver to 5.11.1 or a later version.
  2. Update org.mongodb:mongodb-crypt Maven package to 5.11.1 or a later version.
  3. Update org.mongodb:mongodb-driver-reactivestreams Maven package to 5.11.1 or a later version.
  4. Read the advisory on jira.mongodb.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  5. 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
MongoDBJava Driver4.2.0 up to, but not including, 5.11.15.11.1
MongoDBorg.mongodb:mongodb-crypt Maven package1.4.0 up to, but not including, 5.11.15.11.1
MongoDBorg.mongodb:mongodb-driver-reactivestreams Maven package4.6.0 up to, but not including, 5.11.15.11.1

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
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

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

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.08.2HighCNA (mongodb.com)
CVSS 3.15.9MediumCNA (mongodb.com)
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD

Official description

A use-after-free in the reactive client-side encryption component of the MongoDB Java Driver can cause native resources to be freed while an affected encrypted operation is still using them when the operation is cancelled. A party able to cause such an operation to be cancelled may cause the hosting application process to terminate. Reaching the issue requires an affected reactive encryption configuration that retrieves KMS credentials on demand.

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

The underlying weakness: Use After Free

The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
  • When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.

More Use After Free vulnerabilities (CWE-416)

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 Java Driver

All Java Driver vulnerabilities

Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities

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