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Database Security

Is MongoDB Secure? Security Features, Risks, and Hardening

Yes, MongoDB is generally secure when configured correctly. Here is what you need to know about its built-in protections, common vulnerabilities, and how to harden it for production.

Built-in Security Features

SCRAM-SHA-256 authentication mechanism
Role-based access control with built-in and custom roles
TLS/SSL encryption for data in transit
Client-side field-level encryption (CSFLE)
Auditing capabilities in MongoDB Enterprise

Common Vulnerabilities

NoSQL injection through unsanitized query operators ($gt, $ne, $regex)
Unauthenticated access on default configuration (auth disabled)
Exposed MongoDB port (27017) to public internet
Excessive privileges with root or readWriteAnyDatabase roles
Data exfiltration through MongoDB wire protocol

Hardening Checklist

1Enable authentication with --auth flag or security.authorization in config
2Bind to localhost or specific IPs with net.bindIp setting
3Create database users with minimum required roles per database
4Enable TLS/SSL for all client and replica set connections
5Use CSFLE for encrypting sensitive fields at the application level
6Configure network-level access control with VPC and firewall rules
7Disable server-side JavaScript execution with security.javascriptEnabled: false
8Enable audit logging and monitor for suspicious query patterns
9Use MongoDB Atlas with built-in security or harden self-hosted config
10Regularly rotate database credentials and certificates

Read the complete MongoDB security guide

In-depth blog post with code examples and best practices

Official MongoDB security documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MongoDB secure?

Yes, MongoDB is generally secure when configured correctly. It includes built-in protections like scram-sha-256 authentication mechanism. However, common misconfigurations and development patterns can introduce vulnerabilities.

What are the main security risks with MongoDB?

The most common MongoDB security risks include nosql injection through unsanitized query operators ($gt, $ne, $regex), unauthenticated access on default configuration (auth disabled), exposed mongodb port (27017) to public internet.

How do I harden MongoDB for production?

Key hardening steps: Enable authentication with --auth flag or security.authorization in config. Bind to localhost or specific IPs with net.bindIp setting. Create database users with minimum required roles per database. Run a security check on your domain to identify specific issues.

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