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CVE Record

CVE-2021-32050: Some MongoDB Drivers may publish events containing authentication-related data to a command listener configured by an application

Some MongoDB Drivers may erroneously publish events containing authentication-related data to a command listener configured by an application. The published events may contain security-sensitive data when specific authentication-related commands are executed. Without due care, an application may inadvertently expose this sensitive information, e.g., by writing it to a log file. This issue only arises if an application enables the command listener feature (this is not enabled by default). This issue affects the MongoDB C Driver 1.0.0 prior to 1.17.7, MongoDB PHP Driver 1.0.0 prior to 1.9.2, MongoDB Swift Driver 1.0.0 prior to 1.1.1, MongoDB Node.js Driver 3.6 prior to 3.6.10, MongoDB Node.js Driver 4.0 prior to 4.17.0 and MongoDB Node.js Driver 5.0 prior to 5.8.0. This issue also affects users of the MongoDB C++ Driver dependent on the C driver 1.0.0 prior to 1.17.7 (C++ driver prior to 3.7.0).

MediumCVSS 4.2Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a sensitive-data exposure flaw in older MongoDB drivers. If an application enabled command listeners, authentication-related command events could include secrets and later be written to logs or monitoring systems. The feature is not enabled by default, so exposure depends on application instrumentation and logging behavior.

Executive priority

Treat as moderate priority. It is not described as actively exploited, but it can expose high-value credentials through logs. Prioritize internet-facing, regulated, production, and heavily instrumented applications first.

Technical view

CVE-2021-32050 is CWE-200 affecting MongoDB C, C++, PHP, Swift, and Node.js drivers in listed version ranges. Specific authentication-related commands may publish sensitive data through command listener events. CVSS 4.2 reflects local access, high privileges, user interaction, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in applications using affected driver versions with command listener features enabled, especially where command events feed logs, APM, telemetry, or support bundles. Applications without command listeners enabled are not indicated as affected by the source description.

Exploitation context

CISA KEV is false, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation. The credible scenario is accidental disclosure after sensitive command events are captured by application logging or monitoring, then accessed by someone with log or telemetry access.

Researcher notes

The source bundle identifies affected version ranges and the command listener precondition, but does not provide detailed exploit evidence. Focus validation on dependency versions, listener configuration, and whether sensitive event data reached retained logs or observability systems.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade affected MongoDB drivers to the fixed versions or later named in vendor ranges.
  • Disable command listeners where they are not operationally required.
  • Review logging and monitoring pipelines for captured MongoDB command events.
  • Restrict access to historical logs that may contain authentication-related data.
  • Follow MongoDB, Debian, and downstream vendor guidance for packaged dependencies.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory MongoDB driver names and versions across applications and services.
  • Check whether command listener or command monitoring features are enabled.
  • Review application logs and telemetry for authentication-related MongoDB command event fields.
  • Confirm C++ driver builds are not linked to vulnerable C driver versions.
  • Verify downstream packages against Debian and vendor advisories where applicable.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
9

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-200: Information exposure and cloud metadata lookup

Information exposure and SSRF weaknesses can make discovery, cloud metadata, and credential material review relevant. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-32050 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.2 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
8Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.2CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N0.63.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.2Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-32050Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
MongoDB IncMongoDB C Driver1.0.0unaffected
MongoDB IncMongoDB C++ Driver3.0.0unaffected
MongoDB IncMongoDB PHP Driver1.0.0unaffected
MongoDB IncMongoDB Swift Driver1.0.0unaffected
MongoDB IncMongoDB Node.js Driver3.6, 4.0, 5.0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-200

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.