CVE-2026-30228 — parse-server
CVE-2026-30228 is a CWE-863 vulnerability in parse-server. A fix is available for parse-server — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Parse Server: File creation and deletion bypasses `readOnlyMasterKey` write restriction
Exploitation Status
No confirmed exploitation observed yet
- CISA’s own triage has not observed active exploitation or public proof-of-concept code for this CVE as of its last assessment.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2026-30228.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Real-World Exposure
How broadly this vulnerability is actually deployed: weekly install volume shows current usage, and reverse-dependency count shows how many other packages break if it stays unpatched.
parse-servernpmDescription
Impact
The readOnlyMasterKey can be used to create and delete files via the Files API (POST /files/:filename, DELETE /files/:filename). This bypasses the read-only restriction which violates the access scope of the readOnlyMasterKey.
Any Parse Server deployment that uses readOnlyMasterKey and exposes the Files API is affected. An attacker with access to the readOnlyMasterKey can upload arbitrary files or delete existing files.
Patches
The fix adds permission checks to both the file upload and file delete handlers.
Workarounds
There is no workaround other than not using readOnlyMasterKey, or restricting network access to the Files API endpoints.
References
- GitHub security advisory: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-xfh7-phr7-gr2x
- Fix for Parse Server 9: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.5.0-alpha.3
- Fix for Parse Server 8: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.5
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📦npm | parse-server | ≥ 9.0.0&&< 9.5.0-alpha.3 | 9.5.0-alpha.3npm install parse-server@9.5.0-alpha.3 |
| 📦npm | parse-server | all versions | 8.6.5npm install parse-server@8.6.5 |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for parse-server, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update parse-server to 9.5.0-alpha.3 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2026-30228 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 Security's impact-aware SCA analyses which vulnerable code paths your application actually calls, so a match like CVE-2026-30228 can be triaged on real exposure rather than presence alone.
Tailored to CVE-2026-30228. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2026-30228 in your dependencies?
O3 Security finds CVE-2026-30228 across npm dependencies, including transitive ones, and its impact-aware SCA ranks findings by whether your code actually calls the vulnerable path.