parse-server's file creation and deletion bypasses `readOnlyMasterKey` write restriction
Impact
The readOnlyMasterKey can be used to create and delete files via the Files API (POST /files/:filename, DELETE /files/:filename). This bypasses the read-only restriction which violates the access scope of the readOnlyMasterKey.
Any Parse Server deployment that uses readOnlyMasterKey and exposes the Files API is affected. An attacker with access to the readOnlyMasterKey can upload arbitrary files or delete existing files.
Patches
The fix adds permission checks to both the file upload and file delete handlers.
Workarounds
There is no workaround other than not using readOnlyMasterKey, or restricting network access to the Files API endpoints.
References
- GitHub security advisory: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-xfh7-phr7-gr2x
- Fix for Parse Server 9: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.5.0-alpha.3
- Fix for Parse Server 8: https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.5
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | parse-server | >= 9.0.0, < 9.5.0-alpha.3, < 8.6.5 | 9.5.0-alpha.3, 8.6.5 |
References
- https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/security/advisories/GHSA-xfh7-phr7-gr2x
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-30228
- https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server
- https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/8.6.5
- https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/releases/tag/9.5.0-alpha.3
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-863- Platform
- npm
- Package
parse-server- Disclosed
- 06.03.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-xfh7-phr7-gr2x - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: parse-server
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 116
- First → latest
- 06.2019 06.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 17
- High 49
- Medium 40
- Low 10
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 2
- 2020: 4
- 2021: 4
- 2022: 12
- 2023: 5
- 2024: 4
- 2025: 6
- 2026: 79
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parse-server's file creation and deletion bypasses `readOnlyMasterKey` write restriction this entry
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