CVE-2025-64502: Parse server Parse Server Allows Public `explain` Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-7cx5-254x-cgrq
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CWE-201
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2025-64502 is a MODERATE parse server allows public `explain` vulnerability (CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data) affecting Parse server libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves parse server allows public `explain` queries which may expose sensitive database performance information and schema details. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 8.5.0-alpha.5.

CVE-2025-64502 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2025-64502
GHSA Identifier GHSA-7cx5-254x-cgrq
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data
Affected Product Parse server
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2025-64502

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Parse server dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

parse-server fixed: 8.5.0-alpha.5 
npm install parse-server@8.5.0-alpha.5
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls parse-server

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2025-64502, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls parse-server

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Parse server in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 8.5.0-alpha.5), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls parse-server command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data, where the code transmits data to another actor, but a portion of the data includes sensitive information that should not be accessible to that actor. In Parse server, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact The MongoDB `explain()` method provides detailed information about query execution plans, including index usage, collection scanning behavior, and performance metrics. Parse Server permits any client to execute explain queries without requiring the master key. This exposes: - Database schema structure and field names - Index configurations and query optimization details - Query execution statistics and performance metrics - Potential attack vectors for database performance exploitation ### Patches A new `databaseOptions.allowPublicExplain` configuration option has been introduced that allows to restrict `explain` queries to the master key. The option defaults to `true` for now to avoid a breaking change in production systems that depends on public `explain` availability. In addition, a security warning is logged when the option is not explicitly set, or set to `true`. In a future major release of Parse Server, the default will change to `false`. ### Workarounds Implementing middleware to block explain queries from non-master-key requests, or monitor and alert on explain query usage in production environments.

CVE-2025-64502 Affected Parse server Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
8.5.0-alpha.5
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
parse-server
npm/parse-server
npm
< 8.5.0-alpha.5
8.5.0-alpha.5

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-7cx5-254x-cgrq
NVD — CVE-2025-64502 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-64502
Parse server Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/pull/9890
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/commit/4456b02280c2d8dd58b7250e9e67f1a8647b3452
Parse server Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-64502?
CVE-2025-64502 is a security vulnerability in Parse server involving Parse Server allows public `explain` queries which may expose sensitive database performance information and schema details under CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data.
Which Parse server versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 8.5.0-alpha.5 across affected packages: parse-server.
What version fixes CVE-2025-64502?
Upgrading to 8.5.0-alpha.5 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is parse-server affected?
Yes, parse-server is affected in releases prior to 8.5.0-alpha.5. Upgrade your dependency to 8.5.0-alpha.5 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2025-64502?
CVE-2025-64502 is classified under CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data (The code transmits data to another actor, but a portion of the data includes sensitive information that should not be accessible to that actor.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2025-64502?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls parse-server'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-7cx5-254x-cgrq",
  "modified" : "2025-11-13T00:09:41Z",
  "published" : "2025-11-13T00:09:41Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2025-64502" ],
  "summary" : "Parse Server allows public `explain` queries which may expose sensitive database performance information and schema details",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nThe MongoDB `explain()` method provides detailed information about query execution plans, including index usage, collection scanning behavior, and performance metrics. Parse Server permits any client to execute explain queries without requiring the master key. This exposes:\n\n- Database schema structure and field names\n- Index configurations and query optimization details\n- Query execution statistics and performance metrics\n- Potential attack vectors for database performance exploitation\n\n### Patches\n\nA new `databaseOptions.allowPublicExplain` configuration option has been introduced that allows to restrict `explain` queries to the master key. The option defaults to `true` for now to avoid a breaking change in production systems that depends on public `explain` availability. In addition, a security warning is logged when the option is not explicitly set, or set to `true`. In a future major release of Parse Server, the default will change to `false`.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nImplementing middleware to block explain queries from non-master-key requests, or monitor and alert on explain query usage in production environments.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "parse-server"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "8.5.0-alpha.5"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-7cx5-254x-cgrq"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-64502"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/pull/9890"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/commit/4456b02280c2d8dd58b7250e9e67f1a8647b3452"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-201" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2025-11-13T00:09:41Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2025-11-10T22:15:37Z"
  }
}