CVE-2024-47183 in parse-server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/04/2024
Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. If the Parse Server option allowCustomObjectId: true is set, an attacker that is allowed to create a new user can set a custom object ID for that new user that exploits the vulnerability and acquires privileges of a specific role. This vulnerability is fixed in 6.5.9 and 7.3.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-47183 affects Parse Server, a popular open-source backend framework designed to run on Node.js infrastructure. This system serves as a foundational component for many applications requiring backend services, making its security critical for downstream applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the allowCustomObjectId configuration option is enabled, a feature that permits users to define their own object identifiers during user creation processes. This functionality, while useful for certain legitimate use cases, creates a dangerous attack surface when improperly secured.
The technical flaw exploits the trust placed in user-supplied object identifiers within the Parse Server authentication and authorization framework. When allowCustomObjectId is enabled, attackers can manipulate the object ID field during user creation to reference specific role identifiers or administrative objects within the system. This manipulation allows unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges by crafting object IDs that correspond to roles with higher permissions. The vulnerability essentially enables privilege escalation through crafted object identifiers, bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls that should prevent such access. The flaw resides in the server-side processing logic that fails to properly validate or sanitize custom object IDs against the system's role-based access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to privileged system functions and data. An attacker with the ability to create new users can exploit this weakness to assume administrative roles, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, system configurations, or other privileged resources. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and authorization framework of Parse Server, making it particularly dangerous for applications that rely on role-based access controls for security. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise, as attackers could use these elevated privileges to manipulate other system components or extract confidential information.
The vulnerability has been addressed in Parse Server versions 6.5.9 and 7.3.0, which include patches to validate custom object IDs against the system's role structure and prevent malicious manipulation of object identifiers. Organizations using Parse Server should immediately upgrade to these patched versions to remediate the vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should review their configuration settings to ensure that allowCustomObjectId is disabled unless absolutely necessary for specific legitimate use cases, and even then, proper validation mechanisms should be implemented. The fix aligns with security best practices outlined in CWE-285 for authorization controls and addresses ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation through malformed input. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual user creation patterns and object ID manipulation attempts as part of their defensive strategies.