# Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic (CWE-943)

The product generates a query intended to access or manipulate data in a data store, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that can modify the intended logic of the query.

- Prevalence: High Frequently exploited
- Impact: High 3 high-severity rules
- Prevention: Documented 3 fix examples

**OWASP:** Injection (A03:2021-Injection) - #3

## Description

This covers injection attacks against NoSQL databases, ORM frameworks, and other data query mechanisms that differ from traditional SQL injection.

## Prevention

Prevention strategies for NoSQL Injection based on 3 Shoulder detection rules.

### Go

Use typed structs or explicit operators, validate all user input

### Node.js

Validate input types and sanitize MongoDB operators

### Python

Validate input types and use ObjectId for ID fields

## Warning Signs

- [HIGH] user input flowing to MongoDB or Redis queries without proper validation
- [HIGH] user input flowing into NoSQL database queries without validation
- [HIGH] untrusted user input being used in NoSQL queries without proper
validation

## Consequences

- Read Application Data
- Modify Application Data
- Bypass Protection Mechanism

## Mitigations

- Use parameterized queries for all data stores
- Validate and sanitize input before use in queries
- Apply principle of least privilege to database accounts

## Detection

- Total rules: 3
- Languages: go, javascript, typescript, python

## Rules by Language

### Go (1 rules)

- **NoSQL Injection** [HIGH]: Detects user input flowing to MongoDB or Redis queries without proper validation.
  - Remediation: Use typed structs or explicit $eq operators for MongoDB, validate Redis keys with regex.

```go
filter := bson.M{"username": bson.M{"$eq": username}}
```

Learn more: https://shoulder.dev/learn/go/cwe-943/nosql-injection

### Javascript (1 rules)

- **NoSQL Injection via MongoDB Queries** [HIGH]: Detects user input flowing into NoSQL database queries without validation.
  - Remediation: Validate input types and use mongo-sanitize to remove operators from user input.

```javascript
const sanitized = mongoSanitize(req.body.query);
const user = await User.findOne(sanitized);
```

Learn more: https://shoulder.dev/learn/javascript/cwe-943/nosql-injection

### Typescript (1 rules)

- **NoSQL Injection via MongoDB Queries** [HIGH]: Detects user input flowing into NoSQL database queries without validation.
  - Remediation: Validate input types and use mongo-sanitize to remove operators from user input.

```javascript
const sanitized = mongoSanitize(req.body.query);
const user = await User.findOne(sanitized);
```

Learn more: https://shoulder.dev/learn/javascript/cwe-943/nosql-injection

### Python (1 rules)

- **NoSQL Injection** [HIGH]: Detects untrusted user input being used in NoSQL queries without proper
validation.
  - Remediation: Validate and type-check user input before using in queries.

```python
from bson import ObjectId
object_id = ObjectId(user_id)  # Validates format
```

Learn more: https://shoulder.dev/learn/python/cwe-943/nosql-injection