Mongoose: Prototype pollution in mongoose update casting via __proto__-prefixed dotted path (Schema._getSchema/path getter)
Impact
What kind of vulnerability is it? Who is impacted?
Prototype pollution in update casting: passing a user-controlled update to a Mongoose update, like MyModel.updateOne(filter, req.body), can cause Mongoose to set $fullPath and $parentSchemaDocArray on Object.prototype.
Example:
const mongoose = require('mongoose');
console.log('before:', Object.prototype.$fullPath); // undefined
const User = mongoose.model('User', new mongoose.Schema({ name: String }));
const malicious = JSON.parse('{"$set": {"__proto__.x": "anything"}}'); // attacker-controlled update
const q = User.updateOne({}, {});
try { q._castUpdate(malicious); } catch (e) { /* throws AFTER the pollution side-effect */ }
console.log('after :', Object.prototype.$fullPath); // "__proto__"
console.log('enumerable:', Object.prototype.propertyIsEnumerable('$fullPath')); // true
console.log('fresh {}:', ({}).$fullPath); // "__proto__"Patches
Has the problem been patched? What versions should users upgrade to?
9.7.2, 8.24.1. 7.8.10, 6.13.10
Workarounds
Is there a way for users to fix or remediate the vulnerability without upgrading?
Check user-controlled updates for own __proto__ properties before passing to Mongoose
References
Are there any links users can visit to find out more?
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | mongoose | < 6.13.10, >= 7.0.0, < 7.8.10, >= 8.0.0, < 8.24.1, >= 9.0.0, < 9.7.2 | 6.13.10, 7.8.10, 8.24.1, 9.7.2 |
References
- https://github.com/Automattic/mongoose/security/advisories/GHSA-664h-wqgq-64gw
- https://github.com/Automattic/mongoose/pull/16230
- https://github.com/Automattic/mongoose/commit/f494b8430f9097fc70446d6949c8a42a27518e0b
- https://github.com/Automattic/mongoose
- https://github.com/Automattic/mongoose/releases/tag/6.13.10
- https://github.com/Automattic/mongoose/releases/tag/7.8.10
- https://github.com/Automattic/mongoose/releases/tag/8.24.1
- https://github.com/Automattic/mongoose/releases/tag/9.7.2
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-1321- Platform
- npm
- Package
mongoose- Disclosed
- 24.07.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-664h-wqgq-64gw - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: mongoose
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 9
- First → latest
- 10.2019 07.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 4
- High 3
- Medium 2
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 1
- 2020: 1
- 2021: 0
- 2022: 2
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 1
- 2026: 2
-
Mongoose: Prototype pollution in mongoose update casting via __proto__-prefixed dotted path (Schema._getSchema/path getter) this entry
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