MongoDB Security Checklist
Last updated: January 12, 2026
Use this checklist to ensure your MongoDB application is secure before launch. 6 critical items require immediate attention.
Why This Security Checklist Matters
Security checklists serve as systematic guides for identifying vulnerabilities that might otherwise be overlooked during rapid development cycles. For MongoDB applications specifically, this checklist addresses the most common security gaps that emerge when using AI-assisted development workflows.
Research from multiple security organizations indicates that approximately 80% of AI-built applications contain at least one exploitable vulnerability at launch. The vulnerabilities are often predictable—they follow patterns that this checklist is designed to catch. By systematically reviewing each item, you significantly reduce the risk of launching an insecure application.
Unlike generic security checklists, this guide focuses specifically on vulnerabilities prevalent in MongoDB applications. Each item has been prioritized based on real-world attack patterns and the potential impact of exploitation. Critical items should be addressed before any production deployment.
Critical Priority
Critical items can lead to complete application compromise, data breaches, or unauthorized access to all user accounts. These must be addressed before deploying to production. Attackers actively scan for these vulnerabilities.
High Priority
High priority items represent significant security risks that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality. While not immediately catastrophic, these vulnerabilities should be fixed as soon as possible.
Medium/Low Priority
Medium and low priority items strengthen your overall security posture. While they may not be immediately exploitable, addressing them prevents attack chains and defense-in-depth gaps.
Manual vs Automated Security Checking
While manual security reviews are thorough, they're time-consuming and prone to human error. Automated scanning catches common vulnerabilities instantly, freeing you to focus on business logic and complex security decisions.
Items VAS Automates
- Exposed API keys and secrets in JavaScript bundles
- HTTP security header configuration
- Supabase RLS policy testing
- Firebase Security Rules validation
- Cookie security attributes
Manual Review Still Required
- Business logic vulnerabilities
- Custom authentication implementations
- Access control logic in API routes
- Data validation requirements
- Third-party integration security
Authentication & Access
Enable authentication
Never run MongoDB without authentication enabled - this was the cause of 47,000+ breaches
Use strong passwords
Create strong, unique passwords for database users
Implement role-based access control
Grant minimum necessary permissions using MongoDB roles
Create application-specific users
Don't use admin user for application connections
Enable SCRAM-SHA-256 authentication
Use modern authentication mechanisms, not legacy methods
Network Security
Don't expose MongoDB to public internet
Bind to localhost or private network only, use SSH tunnels for remote access
Use IP allowlisting
In MongoDB Atlas, configure IP Access List to limit connections
Enable TLS/SSL for all connections
Encrypt data in transit with TLS
Use VPC peering for cloud deployments
Keep database traffic on private networks
Injection Prevention
Validate input types
NoSQL injection often exploits type confusion - validate that strings are strings
Sanitize query operators
Block or sanitize $where, $gt, $regex in user input
Use ODM with schema validation
Use Mongoose or similar ODM with strict schemas
Enable query logging for auditing
Log queries to detect potential injection attempts
Data Protection
Enable encryption at rest
Use encrypted storage for sensitive data (native in Atlas)
Configure audit logging
Enable audit logs to track access and changes
Implement field-level encryption
Encrypt sensitive fields individually for defense in depth
Set up regular backups
Configure automated backups with secure storage
Don't Check Manually
VAS automatically checks 0 of these 17 items. Get instant results with detailed remediation guidance.
Run Automated Security ScanFrequently Asked Questions
Why has MongoDB had so many breaches?
MongoDB historically allowed unauthenticated access by default. The 2017-2020 ransomware attacks affected 47,000+ databases where developers didn't enable authentication. Modern MongoDB Atlas has better defaults, but self-hosted instances remain at risk.
How do I prevent NoSQL injection?
Validate input types strictly - NoSQL injection exploits type confusion (e.g., sending an object instead of a string). Use an ODM like Mongoose with schema validation. Sanitize query operators ($gt, $where, $regex) from user input.