CVE-2018-20802 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A denial of service vulnerability in MongoDB Server versions 3.6 prior to 3.6.9 and versions 4.0 prior to 4.0.3 allows an authorized user to crash the system by executing specially crafted queries.

Understanding CVE-2018-20802

This CVE involves a potential denial of service attack on MongoDB Inc. MongoDB Server versions 3.6 and 4.0.

What is CVE-2018-20802?

CVE-2018-20802 is a vulnerability in MongoDB Server that can be exploited by an authorized user to trigger a denial of service attack by executing specific queries.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20802

The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service condition, potentially disrupting MongoDB Server operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20802

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from post-auth queries on compound indexes that can cause mongod to crash, affecting the QueryPlanner component.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Versions: MongoDB Server 3.6 versions prior to 3.6.9, and 4.0 versions prior to 4.0.3
Product: MongoDB Server
Vendor: MongoDB Inc.

Exploitation issued

The vulnerability can be exploited by an authorized user who can execute specially crafted queries that impact the QueryPlanner component.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20802 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update MongoDB Server to versions 3.6.9 or 4.0.3 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict user permissions to minimize the risk of unauthorized queries.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit database queries for unusual activity.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to MongoDB Server.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by MongoDB Inc. to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.