CVE-2026-30850: Parse Server File Metadata Endpoint Bypasses `beforeFind` Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-hwx8-q9cg-mqmc
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CWE-862
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-30850 is a MODERATE file metadata endpoint bypasses `beforefind` vulnerability (CWE-862: Missing Authorization) affecting Parse Server libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves file metadata endpoint bypasses `beforefind` / `afterfind` trigger authorization. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 8.6.9, 9.5.0-alpha.9.

CVE-2026-30850 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-30850
GHSA Identifier GHSA-hwx8-q9cg-mqmc
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-862: Missing Authorization
Affected Product Parse Server
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-30850

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: 8.6.9 
npm install parse-server@8.6.9
parse-server fixed: 9.5.0-alpha.9 
npm install parse-server@9.5.0-alpha.9
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-2026-30850, 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 8.6.9), 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-862: Missing Authorization, where the product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. 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 file metadata endpoint (GET `/files/:appId/metadata/:filename`) does not enforce `beforeFind` / `afterFind` file triggers. When these triggers are used as access-control gates, the metadata endpoint bypasses them entirely, allowing unauthorized access to file metadata. This affects any deployment that relies on `Parse.Cloud.beforeFind(Parse.File, ...)` to restrict file access. Only file metadata (user-defined key-value pairs set via addMetadata) is exposed; file content remains protected. ### Patches The metadata handler now runs `beforeFind` and `afterFind` triggers and returns HTTP 403 when a trigger denies access. ### Workarounds Disable the `metadata` endpoint by overriding the route with a middleware that rejects all requests: ```js // Add before mounting Parse Server app.get('/parse/files/:appId/metadata/:filename', (req, res) => { res.status(403).json({ error: 'Forbidden' }); }); ``` Adjust the path prefix (`/parse`) to match your mountPath. ### References - GitHub security advisory: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-hwx8-q9cg-mqmc - Fix Parse Server 9: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.5.0-alpha.9 - Fix Parse Server 8: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.9

CVE-2026-30850 Affected Parse Server Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
8.6.99.5.0-alpha.9
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
parse-server
npm/parse-server
npm
< 8.6.9
8.6.9
parse-server
npm/parse-server
npm
≥ 9.0.0-alpha.1
< 9.5.0-alpha.9
9.5.0-alpha.9

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-hwx8-q9cg-mqmc
NVD — CVE-2026-30850 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-30850
Parse Server Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-30850?
CVE-2026-30850 is a security vulnerability in Parse Server involving File metadata endpoint bypasses `beforeFind` / `afterFind` trigger authorization under CWE-862: Missing Authorization.
Which Parse Server versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 8.6.9, 9.5.0-alpha.9 across affected packages: parse-server.
What version fixes CVE-2026-30850?
Upgrading to 8.6.9, 9.5.0-alpha.9 (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 8.6.9, 9.5.0-alpha.9. Upgrade your dependency to 8.6.9, 9.5.0-alpha.9 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-30850?
CVE-2026-30850 is classified under CWE-862: Missing Authorization (The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-30850?
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-hwx8-q9cg-mqmc",
  "modified" : "2026-03-09T17:42:03Z",
  "published" : "2026-03-09T17:42:03Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-30850" ],
  "summary" : "Parse Server: File metadata endpoint bypasses `beforeFind` / `afterFind` trigger authorization",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nThe file metadata endpoint (GET `/files/:appId/metadata/:filename`) does not enforce `beforeFind` / `afterFind` file triggers. When these triggers are used as access-control gates, the metadata endpoint bypasses them entirely, allowing unauthorized access to file metadata.\n\nThis affects any deployment that relies on `Parse.Cloud.beforeFind(Parse.File, ...)` to restrict file access. Only file metadata (user-defined key-value pairs set via addMetadata) is exposed; file content remains protected.\n\n### Patches\n\nThe metadata handler now runs `beforeFind` and `afterFind` triggers and returns HTTP 403 when a trigger denies access.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nDisable the `metadata` endpoint by overriding the route with a middleware that rejects all requests:\n\n```js\n// Add before mounting Parse Server\napp.get('/parse/files/:appId/metadata/:filename', (req, res) => {\n  res.status(403).json({ error: 'Forbidden' });\n});\n```\n\nAdjust the path prefix (`/parse`) to match your mountPath.\n\n### References\n\n- GitHub security advisory: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-hwx8-q9cg-mqmc\n- Fix Parse Server 9: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.5.0-alpha.9\n- Fix Parse Server 8: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.9",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "parse-server"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "8.6.9"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "parse-server"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "9.0.0-alpha.1"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "9.5.0-alpha.9"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-hwx8-q9cg-mqmc"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-30850"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-862" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-09T17:42:03Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-07T17:15:52Z"
  }
}