CVE-2025-53364 Overview
CVE-2025-53364 is an information disclosure vulnerability in Parse Server, an open source backend for Node.js applications. The Parse Server GraphQL API exposed the GraphQL schema to unauthenticated clients without requiring a session token or the master key. Attackers can query the schema through introspection and obtain metadata about types, fields, queries, and mutations. While schema introspection does not return actual application data, the disclosed metadata expands the attack surface by revealing internal API structure. The flaw affects Parse Server versions starting at 5.3.0 and before 7.5.3 and 8.2.2. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-497] (Exposure of Sensitive System Information). Maintainers fixed the issue in Parse Server 7.5.3 and 8.2.2.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can retrieve the full GraphQL schema, exposing API structure and enabling more targeted follow-on attacks against Parse Server deployments.
Affected Products
- Parse Server versions 5.3.0 through 7.5.2
- Parse Server 8.0.0 through 8.2.1
- Deployments exposing the Parse Server GraphQL API endpoint
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-10 - CVE-2025-53364 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-53364
Vulnerability Analysis
Parse Server exposes an optional GraphQL API alongside its REST interface. GraphQL servers typically support an introspection query that returns the complete schema, including all types, fields, arguments, queries, mutations, and subscriptions. Parse Server did not gate this introspection behind authentication.
Any network client that could reach the GraphQL endpoint could issue an introspection query such as __schema or __type and receive a full description of the API. The response reveals class names, custom object shapes, relations between types, and available operations. This information is intended to remain private in production deployments where the API surface is not published.
The issue is classified as an API and GraphQL vulnerability with a confidentiality-only impact. It does not directly permit data modification or code execution. However, the leaked schema simplifies reconnaissance for downstream attacks against object classes, cloud functions, and any weak access control rules present in a deployment.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing authorization check on the GraphQL introspection interface. Parse Server enforces access controls on data-fetching queries but did not require a session token or master key before serving schema metadata. The fix in pull requests #9819 and #9820 restricts introspection to authenticated principals.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated remote attacker sends a standard GraphQL introspection request to the exposed /graphql endpoint. The server returns the complete schema without validating credentials. The attacker parses the response to enumerate object classes, field names, and available mutations, then uses that map to probe for weak class-level permissions or misconfigured cloud code. Refer to the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-48q3-prgv-gm4w for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-53364
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST requests to the Parse Server /graphql endpoint containing the __schema or IntrospectionQuery operation from unauthenticated clients.
- Anomalous volumes of GraphQL requests originating from a single IP without an accompanying X-Parse-Session-Token or X-Parse-Master-Key header.
- Follow-on requests targeting object classes or mutations named in the leaked schema shortly after an introspection query.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect Parse Server and reverse-proxy access logs for GraphQL requests whose body contains __schema, __type, or IntrospectionQuery.
- Compare source IPs of introspection queries against the set of IPs that also authenticate with valid session tokens or the master key.
- Alert when the Parse Server version reported by /parse/health or deployment manifests falls below 7.5.3 or 8.2.2.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Parse Server application logs and upstream WAF logs into a centralized analytics platform to correlate introspection attempts with subsequent data access.
- Baseline normal GraphQL operation names for each client and alert on introspection operations from production traffic.
- Track outbound bandwidth from the GraphQL endpoint to detect large schema responses to anonymous clients.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-53364
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Parse Server to 7.5.3 or 8.2.2 or later on all deployments running versions 5.3.0 through the fixed releases.
- Restrict network exposure of the GraphQL endpoint to trusted origins using a reverse proxy or ingress rules until patching completes.
- Rotate the Parse Server master key if logs show unauthenticated introspection from unexpected sources.
Patch Information
The Parse Server maintainers released fixes in versions 7.5.3 and 8.2.2. The changes are implemented in pull requests #9819 and #9820 and documented in GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-48q3-prgv-gm4w. Apply the upgrade through your package manager and redeploy affected services.
Workarounds
- Disable the GraphQL API in Parse Server configuration when it is not required by application clients.
- Deploy a WAF or API gateway rule that blocks requests to /graphql whose payload contains __schema or IntrospectionQuery from unauthenticated principals.
- Require authentication at the ingress layer for the GraphQL route until the upgrade is deployed.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
