Ensure that MongoDB does not bypass authentication via the localhost exception

HighLevel 1Automatedmongodb

Description

MongoDB should not be set to bypass authentication via the localhost exception. The localhost exception allows the user to enable authorization before creating the first user in the system. When active, the localhost exception allows all connections from the localhost interface to have full access to that instance. The exception applies only when there are no users created in the MongoDB instance. Checks the YAML config file /etc/mongod.conf (SKIP when it does not exist). The localhost exception is enabled by default, so the setting must be present and false.

How it is checked

Audit method: File pattern

File: /etc/mongod.conf
Pattern: (?m)^[ \t]*enableLocalhostAuthBypass:[ \t]*['\x22]?(?:false|0)\b

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Add 'setParameter: {enableLocalhostAuthBypass: false}' to /etc/mongod.conf (or start mongod with --setParameter enableLocalhostAuthBypass=0) and restart mongod.

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: mongodbauthentication
Reference: CIS MongoDB 8 Benchmark v2.0.0 - 2.2 Ensure that MongoDB does not bypass authentication via the localhost exception

Check this host

Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.

shell

tmaegis scan --target mongodb