Search Injection Vulnerability in Mongoose by Automattic

CVE-2025-23061

What is CVE-2025-23061?

CVE-2025-23061 is a vulnerability found in Mongoose, a popular MongoDB object modeling tool designed for Node.js applications. This vulnerability relates to how Mongoose handles certain database queries, specifically the use of nested $where filters in conjunction with the populate() method. If exploited, this flaw could enable attackers to perform search injection attacks, undermining the security of applications that depend on Mongoose for data interactions. Such weaknesses can lead to unauthorized data access and manipulation, which can severely impact an organization’s integrity and data confidentiality.

Technical Details

The vulnerability arises in versions of Mongoose prior to 8.9.5, where the improper implementation of a nested $where filter can result in unpredictable database querying behavior. This issue has been noted as stemming from an insufficient resolution of a previous vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-53900. As a consequence, the database could return incorrect results, allowing attackers to inject unintended queries.

Potential Impact of CVE-2025-23061

1. Unauthorized Data Access: The vulnerability can potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within MongoDB, compromising the confidentiality of user data and organizational secrets.

2. Data Manipulation Risks: Exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate or alter data in unexpected ways, leading to data integrity issues that could disrupt business operations.

3. Increased Attack Surface: By allowing search injection attacks, this vulnerability expands the avenues through which adversaries can target an organization, potentially leading to further vulnerabilities and exploits within the application environment.

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