IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS9.9
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2019-10758|Auth: low — authenticated user|Reboot: required|Manual only

MongoDB mongo-express Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

mongo-express before 0.54.0 is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution via endpoints that uses the `toBSON` method.

Published Dec 24, 2019 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, with a low-privilege account, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-06-10 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Code Injection (CWE-94) vulnerability in MongoDB mongo-express. mongo-express before 0.54.0 is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution via endpoints that uses the `toBSON` method. A misuse of the `vm` dependency to perform `exec` commands in a non-safe environment. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, a low-privilege authenticated account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running mongo-express: v < 0.54.0
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-MONGOEXPRESS-473215

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-10758
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-10758
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