CVE-2018-20805 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2018-20805, a denial of service vulnerability in MongoDB Server versions prior to 4.0.5 for v4.0 and prior to 3.6.10 for v3.6. Understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
A denial of service vulnerability in MongoDB Server versions prior to 4.0.5 for v4.0 and prior to 3.6.10 for v3.6 allows an authorized user to exploit the $elemMatch operator, impacting availability.
Understanding CVE-2018-20805
This CVE involves a specific vulnerability in MongoDB Server that can be exploited by an authorized user to launch a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2018-20805?
An individual with proper authorization to conduct database queries can trigger a denial of service attack by executing customized queries utilizing the $elemMatch operator. This vulnerability affects MongoDB Inc. MongoDB Server versions prior to 4.0.5 for v4.0 and prior to 3.6.10 for v3.6.
The Impact of CVE-2018-20805
- CVSS Base Score: 6.5 (Medium Severity)
- Attack Vector: Network
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Availability Impact: High
- Privileges Required: Low
- CWE ID: CWE-834 Excessive Iteration
Technical Details of CVE-2018-20805
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows an authorized user to conduct a denial of service attack by utilizing specially crafted queries with the $elemMatch operator.
Affected Systems and Versions
- MongoDB Inc. MongoDB Server versions prior to 4.0.5 for v4.0
- MongoDB Inc. MongoDB Server versions prior to 3.6.10 for v3.6
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by an individual with proper authorization to execute customized queries using the $elemMatch operator.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from potential exploits and mitigate the impact of CVE-2018-20805.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update MongoDB Server to version 4.0.5 for v4.0 or version 3.6.10 for v3.6 to eliminate the vulnerability.
- Monitor and restrict database query permissions to authorized personnel only.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly review and update database security configurations.
- Conduct security training for database administrators on best practices to prevent unauthorized access.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security updates and patches released by MongoDB Inc. to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-20805.