parse-server: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-30967 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in parse-server from Parse-community, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected parse-server versions: >= 9.0.0 < 9.5.2-alpha.9; < 8.6.22. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.39% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
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.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parse-community | parse-server | >= 9.0.0 < 9.5.2-alpha.9; < 8.6.22 | 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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.6 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. Prior to 9.5.2-alpha.9. and 8.6.22, the OAuth2 authentication adapter, when configured without the useridField option, only verifies that a token is active via the provider's token introspection endpoint, but does not verify that the token belongs to the user identified by authData.id. An attacker with any valid OAuth2 token from the same provider can authenticate as any other user. This affects any Parse Server deployment that uses the generic OAuth2 authentication adapter (configured with oauth2: true) without setting the useridField option. This vulnerability is fixed in 9.5.2-alpha.9. and 8.6.22.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.22Product, Release Notes
- github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.5.2-alpha.9Product, Release 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 Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
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