Node.js security: Parse Server remote code execution vulnerability resolved

Charlie Osborne
15 March 2022 at 15:11 UTC
Current: 15 March 2022 at 15:33 UTC
GitHub has awarded the bug a severity rating of 10 – the highest readily available
People of Parse Server, a popular API server module for Node/Categorical, are remaining urged to right away utilize a fix for a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability.
Found out by security researchers Mikhail Shcherbakov, Cristian-Alexandru Staicu, and Musard Balliu, the vulnerability impacts the parse-server NPM offer, versions down below 4.10.7.
In a stability advisory revealed on GitHub, on March 11, the group mentioned the RCE vulnerability was learned in a default configuration with MongoDB and has been verified in Ubuntu and Windows versions of the computer software.
Prototype air pollution
The root induce of the security difficulty in engage in is prototype pollution.
Prototype air pollution occurs when attackers abuse the policies of the JavaScript programming language to compromise an software – opening the doorway to exploits which includes distant code execution, different forms of cross-web site scripting (XSS) assaults, SQL injections, and a lot more.
Parse Server is open supply backend computer software for servers and techniques that operate Node.js. It can operate both independently or with other world-wide-web application frameworks together with MongoDB and PostgreSQL.
DEEP DIVES Prototype air pollution: The harmful and underrated vulnerability impacting JavaScript apps
According to the researchers, code in parse-server NPM’s DatabaseController.js purpose was the source of the vulnerability.
Shcherbakov and Staicu said that as the stability flaw was discovered in the database operate, it will “likely have an effect on Postgres and any other database backend as well”.
Speaking to The Each day Swig, Shcherbakov stated the susceptible code was not distinct to distinct databases modules and, in principle, “should be reachable with any database backend”.
“However, the exploitation needs a gadget to get arbitrary code execution and some variety of a race ailment to execute the gadget in the necessary purchase,” Shcherbakov explained. “I found the gadget and the race condition in MongoDB modules to demonstrate the exploit. I did not try out to use yet another databases, but it is likely possible.”
Imperfect 10
Tracked as CVE-2022-24760, the RCE bug is awaiting a formal CVSS score from NIST, but GitHub – a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA) – has given the vulnerability a foundation score of 10 – the highest severity attainable.
Parse Server 4.10.7 includes a patch for CVE-2022-24760. Part of the repair consists of a scanner for sensitive keywords and phrases to safeguard versus prototype air pollution assaults.
Catch up on the hottest stability investigate information
Users are suggested to upgrade to at the very least v.4.10.7 of Parse Server.
One particular achievable workaround, quick of implementing the advised update, requires patching the MongoDB Node.js driver and disabling BSON code execution.
The most recent establish obtainable is 5.., which also bundles new and improved file upload protection controls.
The Everyday Swig has achieved out to the task with extra queries. We will update this story as and when we listen to back from Parse Server’s developers.
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