Fix NoSQL Injection in Iris
NoSQL Injection in Go's Iris framework typically occurs when user-supplied JSON is unmarshaled into a generic map or interface and then passed directly to a database driver like mongo-go-driver. Attackers exploit this by injecting operator objects (e.g., {"$gt": ""}) to bypass authentication or exfiltrate data. To fix this, you must enforce strict typing using Go structs.
The Vulnerable Pattern
func LoginHandler(ctx iris.Context) { // VULNERABLE: Using map[string]interface{} allows nested objects/operators var input map[string]interface{} if err := ctx.ReadJSON(&input); err != nil { ctx.StopWithStatus(iris.StatusBadRequest) return }// If attacker sends {"user": {"$ne": null}}, this query returns the first user in DB filter := bson.M{"username": input["user"], "password": input["pass"]} err := collection.FindOne(context.TODO(), filter).Decode(&user)
}
The Secure Implementation
The vulnerability lies in the dynamic nature of map[string]interface{}. When Iris unmarshals JSON into this map, it preserves nested objects. An attacker can provide a JSON object where the 'user' field is actually another object containing MongoDB operators like $ne (not equal) or $gt (greater than). By switching to a strictly typed struct (LoginRequest), the Go JSON unmarshaler will throw an error if the user tries to pass an object where a string is expected, effectively neutralizing the NoSQL operator injection.
type LoginRequest struct { Username string `json:"user"` // Enforces string type Password string `json:"pass"` // Enforces string type }func LoginHandler(ctx iris.Context) { var req LoginRequest // SECURE: ReadJSON into a struct prevents operator injection if err := ctx.ReadJSON(&req); err != nil { ctx.StopWithStatus(iris.StatusBadRequest) return }
// Input is now guaranteed to be literal strings filter := bson.M{"username": req.Username, "password": req.Password} err := collection.FindOne(context.TODO(), filter).Decode(&user)
}
Your Iris API
might be exposed to NoSQL Injection
74% of Iris apps fail this check. Hackers use automated scanners to find this specific flaw. Check your codebase before they do.
Free Tier • No Credit Card • Instant Report
Verified by Ghost Labs Security Team
This content is continuously validated by our automated security engine and reviewed by our research team. Ghost Labs analyzes over 500+ vulnerability patterns across 40+ frameworks to provide up-to-date remediation strategies.