CVE-2026-18696 Improper Authorization in MongoDB applyOps Command Handling Allows Unauthorized DDL Operations on Collections
Authenticated users with specific non-default privileges can perform unauthorized data-definition operations on collections due to improper authorization checks.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-18696?
CVE-2026-18696 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Mongodb Mongodb, published on 11 Aug 2026. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Official description
An issue in MongoDB Server's applyOps command could allow an authenticated user with specific non-default privileges to perform certain data-definition operations, such as dropping or modifying collections, against collections they do not have permission to manipulate. This is due to an inconsistency in how the target collection is determined between the authorization check and the actual operation.
Weakness: CWE-863
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-18696?
1 open source package ship an affected version, including mongodb. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
mongodb Bitnami | From 7.0.0 | 7.0.40, 8.0.29, 8.3.8, 9.0.2 |
Products include Mongodb Mongodb.
How do I fix CVE-2026-18696?
Upgrade mongodb to a fixed version for your release line: 7.0.40, 8.0.29, 8.3.8 or 9.0.2.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2026-18696 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-18696 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Mongodb Mongodb
- CVE-2025-14847 MongoDB and MongoDB Server Improper Handling of Length Parameter Inconsistency
- CVE-2026-82067 Auth bypass in MongoDB Server
- CVE-2026-13072 MongoDB Improper Input Validation in Compute Mode External Data Processing Leading to Memory Corruption
- CVE-2017-15535 Denial of service in n/a
- CVE-2026-18691 Improper Authentication in MongoDB Intra-Cluster Connections Allows Credential Exposure
Sources
Also known as BIT-mongodb-2026-18696, GHSA-85cq-4fh4-j8cv, MINI-4mhp-2mrw-pf4w, MINI-cch4-7689-r378, MINI-cxqj-chcw-pqxg, MINI-rh5c-9mq9-8mfm and 1 more.