CVE-2025-57324 in parse
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2025
parse is a package designed to parse JavaScript SDK. A Prototype Pollution vulnerability in the SingleInstanceStateController.initializeState function of parse version 5.3.0 and before allows attackers to inject properties on Object.prototype via supplying a crafted payload, causing denial of service (DoS) as the minimum consequence.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-57324 affects the parse JavaScript SDK package, specifically targeting the SingleInstanceStateController.initializeState function within versions 5.3.0 and earlier. This represents a critical prototype pollution vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the SDK's state initialization process. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the prototype chain of JavaScript objects through crafted input payloads, fundamentally compromising the application's object model integrity.
Prototype pollution occurs when an application fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before using it to set properties on objects. In this case, the SingleInstanceStateController.initializeState function does not adequately validate or sanitize incoming data structures, enabling attackers to inject malicious properties directly onto Object.prototype. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-471 category of "Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data" and represents a classic prototype pollution attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core JavaScript object model, potentially allowing attackers to modify or manipulate the behavior of all objects derived from Object.prototype.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, though DoS represents the minimum consequence as noted in the CVE description. When attackers successfully pollute the prototype, they can potentially cause applications to crash, behave unpredictably, or even enable more sophisticated attacks such as remote code execution in certain contexts. The vulnerability affects the fundamental state management capabilities of applications using the parse SDK, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized access to application resources, or complete system compromise depending on how the polluted prototype properties are subsequently utilized. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more advanced persistent threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-57324 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to parse SDK version 5.3.1 or later, where the prototype pollution vulnerability has been patched through proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at all levels of their application stack, particularly focusing on object property assignment operations. Additionally, developers should employ defensive programming practices such as using Object.freeze(), Object.preventExtensions(), and Object.seal() to protect critical objects from prototype pollution attacks. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on prototype manipulation patterns and implement runtime monitoring solutions to detect anomalous prototype modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party libraries and dependencies to prevent such critical flaws from compromising application security.