NoSQL Injection

What is it?

NoSQL injection is where an attacker can manipulate the queries made to a NoSQL database through user input.

A simple example:

• A vulnerable web application has the endpoint /search?user={username}

• When a request is made, the application queries a NoSQL database (e.g., MongoDB) like this: db.users.find({username: {$eq: username}})

• If an attacker inserts a payload into {username} such as {"$ne": ""}, it may modify the query to retrieve all users.

• The vulnerable application sends this query to the database, potentially leaking all usernames.

It's important to note that payloads may vary depending on the database, query, and application. NoSQL injection can lead to:

• Sensitive data exposure

• Data manipulation

• Denial of service

Other learning resources:

Writeups:

Have a good writeup & want to share it here? Drop me a message on LinkedIn.

Checklist:

• What is the technology stack you're attacking?

• What NoSQL DB is being used (MongoDB, CouchDB, etc.)?

• Verify injection points:

  • URL parameters

  • Form fields

  • HTTP headers (e.g., cookies, etc.)

  • Out-of-band (data retrieved from a third party)

• Test with different operators: $eq, $ne, $gt, $gte, $lt, $lte, etc.

• Can you trigger different responses?

• Test for login bypass: {"$ne": ""}

• Test for blind NoSQLi

• Test for errors

• Test for conditional responses

• Test for conditional errors

• Test for time delays

• Test for out-of-band interactions

• Is there a blocklist?

  • Can you bypass the blocklist?

Exploitation

Copy

# basic login bypass
{"username": "anyname", "password": {"$ne": ""}}

Copy

# retrieve data
{"$where": "this.someField == 'someValue'"}

Copy

# blind
{"someField": {"$regex": "^someValue"}}

References & Resources

WSTG - Latest | OWASP Foundation

OWASP WSTG - Testing for NoSQL

NoSQL injection | Web Security AcademyWebSecAcademy

PortSwigger NoSQL Injection