CVE-2022-39231 in Parse Server
Summary
by MITRE • 09/23/2022
Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. In versions prior to 4.10.16, or from 5.0.0 to 5.2.6, validation of the authentication adapter app ID for _Facebook_ and _Spotify_ may be circumvented. Configurations which allow users to authenticate using the Parse Server authentication adapter where `appIds` is set as a string instead of an array of strings authenticate requests from an app with a different app ID than the one specified in the `appIds` configuration. For this vulnerability to be exploited, an attacker needs to be assigned an app ID by the authentication provider which is a sub-set of the server-side configured app ID. This issue is patched in versions 4.10.16 and 5.2.7. There are no known workarounds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2022
This vulnerability exists within Parse Server, a popular open source backend framework designed to run on Node.js infrastructure. The security flaw specifically targets the authentication adapter functionality for Facebook and Spotify integration, representing a critical validation bypass issue that undermines the integrity of the authentication process. The vulnerability affects multiple version ranges including all versions prior to 4.10.16 and versions from 5.0.0 through 5.2.6, creating a substantial attack surface across the Parse Server ecosystem. The flaw stems from improper validation of authentication adapter app IDs, where the system fails to properly verify that incoming authentication requests originate from the correct application identifiers as configured by administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a design flaw in how Parse Server handles authentication adapter configurations when appIds are specified as strings rather than arrays of strings. When administrators configure authentication adapters with string-based app IDs, the system should validate that incoming authentication requests match exactly with the configured identifiers. However, due to the validation bypass, requests from legitimate applications with different app IDs can still gain access to the system, provided the attacker's app ID is a subset of the configured app ID. This creates a scenario where attackers can exploit the system by obtaining legitimate app IDs from authentication providers that contain the configured app ID as a substring, effectively allowing unauthorized access to backend services. The vulnerability operates at the authentication validation layer and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms that are supposed to protect backend services and user data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to Parse Server applications that rely on Facebook or Spotify authentication adapters, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, and service disruption. The attack requires minimal prerequisites beyond having access to a legitimate authentication provider account with an app ID that serves as a subset of the configured server-side app ID, making it relatively accessible to threat actors. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of applications that depend on these authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in unauthorized access to user accounts, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within affected systems, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on Parse Server for their backend infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Parse Server versions 4.10.16 or 5.2.7 to remediate this vulnerability, as no known workarounds exist to mitigate the issue. The fix addresses the core validation logic in the authentication adapter implementation, ensuring that app ID matching occurs correctly regardless of whether configurations are specified as strings or arrays. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their Parse Server deployments to identify affected versions and implement the necessary upgrades across all environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to insufficient validation of authentication parameters and improper access control enforcement. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can exploit the authentication bypass to gain persistent access to backend systems. Organizations should also review their authentication configurations to ensure that appIds are properly validated and that appropriate access controls are implemented to prevent similar issues in other components of their infrastructure.