CVE-2025-64502

The record

Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. The MongoDB `explain()` method provides detailed information about query execution plans, including index usage, collection scanning behavior, and performance metrics. Prior to version 8.5.0-alpha.5, Parse Server permits any client to execute explain queries without requiring the master key. This exposes database schema structure and field names, index configurations and query optimization details, query execution statistics and performance metrics, and potential attack vectors for database performance exploitation. In version 8.5.0-alpha.5, a new `databaseOptions.allowPublicExplain` configuration option has been introduced that allows to restrict `explain` queries to the master key. The option defaults to `true` for now to avoid a breaking change in production systems that depends on public `explain` availability. In addition, a security warning is logged when the option is not explicitly set, or set to `true`. In a future major release of Parse Server, the default will change to `false`. As a workaround, implement middleware to block explain queries from non-master-key requests, or monitor and alert on explain query usage in production environments.

Affected packages

Related vulnerabilities

• GHSA-7cx5-254x-cgrq Parse Server allows public `explain` queries which may expose sensitive database… Same vulnerability
• GHSA-97pr-9hgg-3p8r parse-server: LiveQuery discloses object data to a subscriber across an ACL read-access… Also affects parse-server
• GHSA-wmwx-jr2p-4j4r parse-server: Relation `$relatedTo` query bypasses `protectedFields` and owning-object ACL Also affects parse-server
• GHSA-7wqv-xjf3-x35v parse-server: Stored XSS via trailing-dot filename bypassing file upload extension… Also affects parse-server
• GHSA-p84r-h6rx-f2xr parse-server: Server option routeAllowList is bypassable through batch sub-requests Also affects parse-server
• GHSA-cgxm-vr2f-6fj8 parse-server: Denial of service via exponential-time processing of deeply nested query… Also affects parse-server
• CVE-2026-53726 Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that… Also affects parse-server
• CVE-2026-53724 Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that… Also affects parse-server