CVE-2026-30863: Parse Server Critical JWT Audience Validation Bypass Vulnerability
Summary
CVE-2026-30863: Parse Server: JWT audience validation bypass in Google, Apple, and Facebook authentication adapters. Affects parse-server across 2 version ranges.
< 8.6.10
>= 9.0.0-alpha.1, < 9.5.0-alpha.11
Fixed in 8.6.10 or 9.5.0-alpha.11, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- parse · Bitnami
The same CVE-2026-30863 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
Parse Server is an open-source backend framework that enables developers to build applications with a robust server-side architecture. It provides features such as data storage, user authentication, and real-time notifications. However, it has been found to have a critical vulnerability in its authentication adapters for Google, Apple, and Facebook, which can lead to unauthorized access if not properly configured.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the JWT verification process used in the Google, Apple, and Facebook authentication adapters. When the audience configuration option is not set, the JWT verification process skips the audience claim validation. This oversight allows an attacker to use a validly signed JWT from a different application to authenticate as any user on the target Parse Server. Specifically, for Google and Apple, the issue occurs when the 'clientId' is not configured, while for Facebook Limited Login, the vulnerability exists regardless of configuration, as the adapter fails to validate 'appIds' for audience verification.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 9.10.5 as of 22 Oct 2026
npm install parse-server@9.10.5Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
< 8.6.108.6.10npm install parse-server@8.6.10 -
>= 9.0.0-alpha.1, < 9.5.0-alpha.119.5.0-alpha.11npm install parse-server@9.5.0-alpha.11
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
For Google and Apple, ensure that 'clientId' is set in the adapter configuration. This will allow JWT verification to correctly validate the audience claim even on unpatched versions. For Facebook Limited Login, there is no workaround available; upgrading is the only solution.
Conclusion
The CVE-2026-30863 vulnerability in Parse Server poses a significant risk due to improper JWT audience validation. It is crucial for developers to update their Parse Server installations to the latest patched versions and ensure proper configuration to safeguard against unauthorized access.
See every vulnerability recorded for parse-server →
FAQ
CVE-2026-30863 is a critical vulnerability in Parse Server that allows attackers to bypass JWT audience validation in Google, Apple, and Facebook authentication adapters.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
If exploited, this vulnerability allows unauthorized users to authenticate as any user on the Parse Server, potentially leading to data breaches and unauthorized access.
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 9.3, indicating a critical level of severity.
For Google and Apple, setting the 'clientId' in the adapter configuration can mitigate the issue. However, for Facebook Limited Login, upgrading is the only solution.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for parse-server.
