CVE-2026-30835 in parse-server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2026
Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. Prior to versions 8.6.7 and 9.5.0-alpha.6, malformed $regex query parameter (e.g. [abc) causes the database to return a structured error object that is passed unsanitized through the API response. This leaks database internals such as error messages, error codes, code names, cluster timestamps, and topology details. The vulnerability is exploitable by any client that can send query requests, depending on the deployment's permission configuration. This issue has been patched in versions 8.6.7 and 9.5.0-alpha.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-30835 affects Parse Server, a popular open-source backend framework designed for deployment on Node.js infrastructure. This security flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that arises from improper handling of malformed database queries. The issue specifically manifests when the system processes malformed $regex query parameters, creating a scenario where internal database error information becomes exposed through API responses without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 8.6.7 and 9.5.0-alpha.6, making a substantial portion of the Parse Server user base susceptible to potential exploitation.
The technical flaw stems from the application's insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within its database query processing layer. When a malformed regex pattern such as [abc is submitted through a query parameter, the underlying database engine generates an error object containing sensitive internal information. This error object is then directly incorporated into the API response without proper sanitization or filtering, creating a pathway for attackers to extract detailed database internals. The leaked information includes database error messages, error codes, code names, cluster timestamps, and topology details that provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data about the underlying database infrastructure and deployment configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive insights into the database architecture and operational environment. The exposure of cluster timestamps and topology details enables adversaries to understand the database's operational patterns and potentially identify additional attack vectors. The leaked error codes and database internals can be leveraged by threat actors to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further exploitation of other vulnerabilities. Given that any client capable of sending query requests can exploit this vulnerability, the attack surface is particularly broad and depends largely on the deployment's permission configuration and access controls.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and represents a classic example of improper error handling that exposes system internals. The attack pattern follows techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1082, where adversaries gather information about the target system, and T1213, which involves data from information repositories. Organizations using Parse Server should immediately implement the patches released in versions 8.6.7 and 9.5.0-alpha.6 to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation, proper error handling, and sanitization of error messages in API responses provides defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and monitoring of API responses for unexpected error information help maintain system integrity and prevent exploitation of similar information disclosure weaknesses in the application's architecture.