Best 7 Ways to Prevent NoSQL Injection in TypeScript ERP

Introduction

NoSQL databases like MongoDB, Firebase, and CouchDB are widely used in modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems due to their scalability, flexibility, and performance. However, these advantages come with security risks, particularly NoSQL Injection—a type of cyber attack where malicious users manipulate database queries to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Unlike SQL Injection, which targets traditional relational databases using SQL queries, NoSQL Injection exploits the query syntax of NoSQL databases, bypassing authentication and retrieving or modifying data.

This guide explores 7 best ways to prevent NoSQL Injection in TypeScript-based ERP systems, with practical coding examples to help developers implement secure coding practices and protect their applications from potential attacks.

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What is NoSQL Injection?

NoSQL Injection occurs when untrusted user input is improperly handled in database queries, allowing attackers to manipulate database operations. Since NoSQL databases often handle JSON-like data structures, injecting malicious values into queries can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or complete database compromise.

Example of a NoSQL Injection Attack

Consider a login system in a TypeScript-based ERP that uses MongoDB for authentication:

import { MongoClient } from "mongodb";

async function login(username: string, password: string) {
    const client = new MongoClient("mongodb://localhost:27017");
    await client.connect();
    const db = client.db("erp");
    const users = db.collection("users");

    const user = await users.findOne({ username: username, password: password });

    if (user) {
        console.log("Login successful!");
    } else {
        console.log("Invalid credentials!");
    }
}

Security Issue in the Code

The above code directly passes user input into the database query without validation. An attacker could inject the following payload into the username and password fields:

{
    "username": { "$ne": null },
    "password": { "$ne": null }
}

Since MongoDB treats $ne as a query operator, the attacker can bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access.

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Best 7 Ways to Prevent NoSQL Injection in TypeScript ERP

To mitigate NoSQL injection risks, developers must implement strict security measures. Below are the seven best security practices for TypeScript-based ERP applications.

1. Use Parameterized Queries

A parameterized query prevents injection attacks by separating query structure from user input. Instead of directly inserting user-provided values, use MongoDB’s aggregation pipeline or parameterized functions.

✅ Secure Example:

const user = await users.findOne(
    { username: username, password: password }, 
    { sanitize: true }
);

This prevents attackers from injecting malicious operators like $ne or $gt into the query.

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2. Validate and Sanitize User Input

Input validation is essential to filter out malicious inputs before processing database queries. Use libraries like Joi to validate input fields.

✅ Secure Example:

import Joi from "joi";

const loginSchema = Joi.object({
    username: Joi.string().alphanum().min(3).max(30).required(),
    password: Joi.string().min(6).required()
});

const validateInput = (input: any) => {
    return loginSchema.validate(input);
};

By enforcing strict input validation, attackers cannot inject malicious JSON operators into database queries.

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3. Use Object Schema Validation in MongoDB

MongoDB supports schema validation, which helps enforce proper input structures before storing data.

✅ Secure Example (MongoDB Schema Validation):

{
    "$jsonSchema": {
        "bsonType": "object",
        "required": ["username", "password"],
        "properties": {
            "username": {
                "bsonType": "string",
                "description": "must be a string and is required"
            },
            "password": {
                "bsonType": "string",
                "description": "must be a string and is required"
            }
        }
    }
}

This ensures that only valid string values are accepted, rejecting injection attempts that use JSON-based queries.

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4. Escape Special Characters

Attackers often exploit special characters ($, .) to inject NoSQL commands. Escape these characters before passing user input into a query.

✅ Secure Example:

function escapeInput(input: string) {
    return input.replace(/[$.]/g, "");
}

This function removes dangerous special characters, making NoSQL injection much harder.

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5. Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Restrict database access based on user roles, ensuring that only authorized users can perform sensitive operations.

✅ Secure Example:

const isAdmin = user.role === "admin";
if (!isAdmin) {
    throw new Error("Unauthorized access!");
}

RBAC prevents unauthorized users from executing privileged queries.

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6. Use Web Application Firewalls (WAF)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) can detect and block NoSQL injection patterns in incoming requests.

Many cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Cloudflare) offer built-in WAF protection to automatically mitigate NoSQL injection attacks.

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7. Regular Security Audits and Penetration Testing

Using automated security tools can help detect vulnerabilities in your TypeScript-based ERP system.

✅ Use Our Free Tool:

Use our Website Vulnerability Scanner to scan for potential NoSQL injection vulnerabilities in your ERP system.

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• Subdomain Takeover in TypeScript
• Prevent Race Condition in TypeScript
• Prevent Cache Poisoning in TypeScript ERP
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• More Cybersecurity Guides

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Website Vulnerability Assessment Report

Want to check your website security? Use our Free Website Security Scanner to get a detailed vulnerability report.

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Conclusion

NoSQL injection is a serious security threat that can compromise TypeScript-based ERP systems. By following these best 7 security practices, developers can significantly reduce the risk of NoSQL injection attacks.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Use parameterized queries to prevent direct injections.
✔ Validate and sanitize user input to block malicious data.
✔ Implement MongoDB schema validation to enforce data integrity.
✔ Escape special characters to prevent JSON-based injections.
✔ Use RBAC and Web Application Firewalls (WAF) for additional protection.

For more security tips, check out our blog.

Also, read our Preventing Cache Poisoning in OpenCart guide for securing your eCommerce applications.

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