parse-server: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-87806 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in parse-server from Parse-community, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.4 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 9.10.1-alpha.7, 8.6.88 as the first without the flaw, so updating parse-server to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.51% 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
- Update parse-server to 9.10.1-alpha.7 or 8.6.88, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- 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 up to, but not including, 9.10.1-alpha.7; before 8.6.88 | 9.10.1-alpha.7, 8.6.88 |
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
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- 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:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.1 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.4 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
Parse Server versions <= 8.6.87 and >= 9.0.0 < 9.10.1-alpha.7 contain an authentication bypass in the built-in LDAP authentication adapter. The adapter forwarded the client-supplied password to the directory without verifying that a password had been supplied, and treated any non-error response from the directory as proof of authentication. A zero-length credential turns an LDAP simple bind into the unauthenticated authentication mechanism described in RFC 4513 section 5.1.2, which some directories (including Active Directory in its default configuration) answer with success while mapping the connection to anonymous. As a result, an unauthenticated attacker who knows a directory username can obtain a valid session token for that account, resulting in account takeover. Only deployments that enable the LDAP authentication adapter are affected, and deployments whose directory refuses unauthenticated simple bind (such as a stock OpenLDAP configuration) are not exploitable. The issue is fixed in 8.6.88 and 9.10.1-alpha.7, which require the password to be a non-empty string and reject the request before contacting the directory.
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: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
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
- 8.7 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
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