CVE-2026-32248
Parseplatform Parse-Server ≤ 8.6.38
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:XSummary
CVE-2026-32248 is a critical-severity Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Data Query Logic (CWE-943) vulnerability in Parseplatform Parse-Server. Its CVSS base score is 9.3 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 47th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SI-10 (Information Input Validation) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2026-32248 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability (CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8) in Parse Server, an open-source backend platform deployable on any Node.js-compatible infrastructure. Affecting versions prior to 9.6.0-alpha.12 and 8.6.38, the flaw arises when using authentication providers that do not validate the format of user identifiers, such as anonymous authentication (enabled by default). An unauthenticated attacker can send a crafted login request that tricks the server into executing a pattern-matching query on MongoDB or PostgreSQL backends instead of an exact-match lookup, enabling account takeover.
Any unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability against Parse Server deployments permitting anonymous authentication. By crafting a login request with a manipulated user identifier, the attacker matches and logs in as an existing user account created via the vulnerable provider, obtaining a valid session token. This grants full access to the victim's account privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or further compromise depending on application permissions.
Parse Server advisories recommend upgrading to version 8.6.38 or 9.6.0-alpha.12, where the issue is fixed by enforcing exact-match lookups. Details are available in the GitHub security advisory (GHSA-5fw2-8jcv-xh87) and release notes for the patched versions.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-11689
Vulnerability Data
Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. Prior to 9.6.0-alpha.12 and 8.6.38, an unauthenticated attacker can take over any user account that was created with an authentication provider that…
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does not validate the format of the user identifier (e.g. anonymous authentication). By sending a crafted login request, the attacker can cause the server to perform a pattern-matching query instead of an exact-match lookup, allowing the attacker to match an existing user and obtain a valid session token for that user's account. Both MongoDB and PostgreSQL database backends are affected. Any Parse Server deployment that allows anonymous authentication (enabled by default) is vulnerable. This vulnerability is fixed in 9.6.0-alpha.12 and 8.6.38.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Input validation directly stops unneutralized special elements from reaching query logic.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Secure SDLC practices directly require parameterized queries and input neutralization to prevent query-logic injection.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing in development catches injection vulnerabilities before release but does not itself implement the fix.
Secure development life cycle mandates input validation and query parameterization that directly prevent injection flaws.
Application security requirements explicitly call for controls against injection and improper query construction.
Secure architecture principles reduce the likelihood of query-logic flaws but do not prescribe the specific coding practice.
Secure coding standards require proper neutralization of special elements in all data queries.
Outsourced development agreements can require secure coding practices, indirectly mitigating the weakness.