CVE-2026-30946: Parse Server Denial-of-Service Vulnerability via Unbounded Query Complexity
Summary
CVE-2026-30946: Parse Server affected by denial-of-service via unbounded query complexity in REST and GraphQL API. Affects parse-server across 2 version ranges.
< 8.6.15
>= 9.0.0, < 9.5.2-alpha.2
Fixed in 8.6.15 or 9.5.2-alpha.2, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- parse · Bitnami
The same CVE-2026-30946 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 infrastructure. It provides REST and GraphQL APIs for data management, user authentication, and real-time capabilities. However, the lack of complexity limits in these APIs makes it vulnerable to denial-of-service attacks, where an attacker can exploit crafted queries to exhaust server resources.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the absence of complexity limits in the REST and GraphQL APIs of Parse Server. An unauthenticated attacker can send specially crafted queries that lead to excessive consumption of CPU, memory, and database connections. This can result in service degradation or complete unavailability, affecting all Parse Server deployments that utilize these APIs. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-770, indicating a failure to impose limits on resource consumption.
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.
-
< 8.6.158.6.15npm install parse-server@8.6.15 -
>= 9.0.0, < 9.5.2-alpha.29.5.2-alpha.2npm install parse-server@9.5.2-alpha.2
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the patches as soon as possible to mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The CVE-2026-30946 vulnerability in Parse Server poses a significant risk due to its potential for denial-of-service attacks. It is crucial for developers to update their Parse Server installations to the patched versions and configure request complexity limits to safeguard their applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for parse-server →
FAQ
CVE-2026-30946 is a vulnerability in Parse Server that allows unauthenticated attackers to perform denial-of-service attacks through unbounded query complexity in the REST and GraphQL APIs.
If you are using Parse Server with REST or GraphQL APIs and have not applied the latest patches, your server may be vulnerable. You can check for vulnerabilities using Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software.
The vulnerability can lead to resource exhaustion, causing the server to slow down or become completely unresponsive, impacting the availability of your application.
You can update Parse Server by running the command 'npm install parse-server@8.6.15' or 'npm install parse-server@9.5.2-alpha.2' in your terminal.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software without requiring access to the code or installation.
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