CVE-2025-6713
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthorized users to bypass MongoDB's authorization controls by exploiting a flaw in the $mergeCursors aggregation pipeline stage. Attackers can access data they shouldn't have permission to view. This affects MongoDB Server versions 6.0 before 6.0.22, 7.0 before 7.0.19, and 8.0 before 8.0.7.
💻 Affected Systems
- MongoDB Server
📦 What is this software?
Mongodb by Mongodb
Mongodb by Mongodb
Mongodb by Mongodb
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete unauthorized access to all database collections and documents, potentially exposing sensitive data including credentials, personal information, and proprietary business data.
Likely Case
Unauthorized data access to specific collections or documents that the attacker can target through crafted aggregation queries.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation, minimal user privileges, and monitoring of aggregation pipeline usage.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires knowledge of MongoDB aggregation pipeline syntax and some level of database access. No public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 6.0.22, 7.0.19, 8.0.7
Vendor Advisory: https://jira.mongodb.org/browse/SERVER-106752
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the patched version from MongoDB's official website. 2. Stop the MongoDB service. 3. Backup your data and configuration. 4. Install the patched version. 5. Restart the MongoDB service. 6. Verify the version is updated.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Aggregation Pipeline
allTemporarily disable aggregation pipeline functionality if not required for your application
db.adminCommand({setParameter: 1, allowDiskUse: false})
db.adminCommand({setParameter: 1, maxTimeMS: 1000})
Restrict User Privileges
allApply principle of least privilege to limit potential damage from exploitation
db.revokeRolesFromUser('username', [ { role: 'readWrite', db: 'database' } ])
db.grantRolesToUser('username', [ { role: 'read', db: 'database' } ])
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit MongoDB access to trusted sources only
- Enable detailed logging of aggregation pipeline operations and monitor for suspicious queries
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Connect to MongoDB and check version: db.version() - if version is between affected ranges, system is vulnerableCheck Version:
db.version()Verify Fix Applied:
After patching, verify version is 6.0.22, 7.0.19, or 8.0.7 or higher using db.version()📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual aggregation pipeline queries
- $mergeCursors operations from unexpected users
- Authorization failures followed by successful data access
Network Indicators:
- Unusual patterns of database queries from single sources
- High volume of aggregation pipeline requests
SIEM Query:
source="mongodb.log" AND ("$mergeCursors" OR "aggregation" OR "pipeline") AND (user!="expected_user" OR src_ip!="trusted_ip")