CVE-2026-18698 Improper Authorization in MongoDB Server Allows Unauthorized Actions on System Collections via the validate Command
Authenticated users with limited roles can access or modify protected system collections via the validate command, exposing metadata and potentially altering data.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-18698?
CVE-2026-18698 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Mongodb Mongodb, published on 11 Aug 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
An issue in MongoDB Server could allow an authenticated user with a limited database-scoped role to perform an action against protected system collections that should require more specific privileges. This could result in exposure of collection metadata and, on certain deployment configurations, unauthorized modification of system collection data.
Weakness: CWE-863
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-18698?
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-2026-18698?
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-2026-18698 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-18698 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-2026-18698, GHSA-vh87-wfq5-jrqm, MINI-4c9g-vjj7-v5r5, MINI-95vj-25w9-jrmf, MINI-qmj5-wp57-wqxq, MINI-r8xj-f8wh-3p3r and 1 more.