parse-server: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
CVE-2026-27804 is a critical-severity use of a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm vulnerability in parse-server from Parse-community, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected parse-server versions: >= 9.0.0, < 9.3.1-alpha.4; < 8.6.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.2% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of parse-server you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parse-community | parse-server | >= 9.0.0, < 9.3.1-alpha.4; < 8.6.3 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. Prior to versions 8.6.3 and 9.1.1-alpha.4, an unauthenticated attacker can forge a Google authentication token with `alg: "none"` to log in as any user linked to a Google account, without knowing their credentials. All deployments with Google authentication enabled are affected. The fix in versions 8.6.3 and 9.1.1-alpha.4 hardcodes the expected `RS256` algorithm instead of trusting the JWT header, and replaces the Google adapter's custom key fetcher with `jwks-rsa` which rejects unknown key IDs. As a workaround, dsable Google authentication until upgrading is possible.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
The product uses a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm or protocol.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Ensure that the design allows one cryptographic algorithm to be replaced with another in the next generation or version. Where possible, use wrappers to make the interfaces uniform. This will make it easier to upgrade to stronger algorithms. With hardware, design the product at the Intellectual Property (IP) level so that one cryptographic algorithm can be replaced with another in the next generation of the hardware product.
- Carefully manage and protect cryptographic keys (see CWE-320). If the keys can be guessed or stolen, then the strength of the cryptography itself is irrelevant.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Industry-standard implementations will save development time and may be more likely to avoid errors that can occur during implementation of cryptographic algorithms. Consider the ESAPI Encryption feature.
More Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm vulnerabilities (CWE-327)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/parse-community/parse-server/commit/9b94083accb7f3e72c6b8126c195c7a03dd2dfd7
- github.com/parse-community/parse-server/commit/9d5942d50e55c822924c27b05aa98f1393e7a330
- github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.3Release Notes
- github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.3.1-alpha.4Release Notes
Other vulnerabilities in parse-server
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
Recent Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
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