CVE-2026-30966: Parse server Parse Server Has Role Escalation Vulnerability
CRITICALCVE-2026-30966 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 10.0) parse server has role escalation vulnerability (CWE-284: Improper Access Control) affecting Parse server libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves parse server has role escalation and clp bypass via direct `_join` table write. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 9.5.2-alpha.7, 8.6.20.
CVE-2026-30966 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 10.0
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L).
How to Fix CVE-2026-30966
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.
npm install parse-server@9.5.2-alpha.7npm install parse-server@8.6.20Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
npm ls parse-serverHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-30966, inspect your project dependencies using npm:
npm ls parse-serverAnalyze 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 9.5.2-alpha.7), 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-284: Improper Access Control, where the product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized 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
CVE-2026-30966 Affected Parse server Versions
2 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
parse-server
|
npm |
≥ 9.0.0-alpha.1
< 9.5.2-alpha.7
|
9.5.2-alpha.7
|
|
parse-server
|
npm |
< 8.6.20
|
8.6.20
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-30966?
Which Parse server versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2026-30966?
Is parse-server affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-30966?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-30966?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-30966?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-5f92-jrq3-28rc",
"modified" : "2026-03-11T00:21:07Z",
"published" : "2026-03-11T00:21:07Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-30966" ],
"summary" : "Parse Server has role escalation and CLP bypass via direct `_Join` table write",
"details" : "### Impact\n\nParse Server's internal tables, which store Relation field mappings such as role memberships, can be directly accessed via the REST API or GraphQL API by any client using only the application key. No master key is required.\n\nAn attacker can create, read, update, or delete records in any internal relationship table. Exploiting this allows the attacker to inject themselves into any Parse Role, gaining all permissions associated with that role, including full read, write, and delete access to classes protected by role-based Class-Level Permissions (CLP). Similarly, writing to any such table that backs a Relation field used in a `pointerFields` CLP bypasses that access control.\n\n### Patches\n\nThe fix blocks direct client access to internal relationship tables in Parse Server's role security enforcement. All create, find, get, update, and delete operations on these tables now require the master key or maintenance key.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nThere is no known workaround.\n\n### References\n\n- GitHub security advisory: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-5f92-jrq3-28rc\n- Fix Parse Server 9: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.5.2-alpha.7\n- Fix Parse Server 8: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.20",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "parse-server"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "9.0.0-alpha.1"
}, {
"fixed" : "9.5.2-alpha.7"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "parse-server"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "8.6.20"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-5f92-jrq3-28rc"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-30966"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.20"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.5.2-alpha.7"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-284" ],
"severity" : "CRITICAL",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-03-11T00:21:07Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2026-03-10T21:16:48Z"
}
}