CVE-2026-32728
Received Received - Intake
Stored XSS via File Upload Bypass in Parse Server

Publication date: 2026-03-18

Last updated on: 2026-03-19

Assigner: GitHub, Inc.

Description
Parse Server is an open source backend that can be deployed to any infrastructure that can run Node.js. Prior to 9.6.0-alpha.15 and 8.6.41, an attacker who is allowed to upload files can bypass the file extension filter by appending a MIME parameter (e.g. `;charset=utf-8`) to the `Content-Type` header. This causes the extension validation to fail matching against the blocklist, allowing active content to be stored and served under the application's domain. In addition, certain XML-based file extensions that can render scripts in web browsers are not included in the default blocklist. This can lead to stored XSS attacks, compromising session tokens, user credentials, or other sensitive data accessible via the browser's local storage. The fix in versions 9.6.0-alpha.15 and 8.6.41 strips MIME parameters from the `Content-Type` header before validating the file extension against the blocklist. The default blocklist has also been extended to include additional XML-based extensions (`xsd`, `rng`, `rdf`, `rdf+xml`, `owl`, `mathml`, `mathml+xml`) that can render active content in web browsers. Note that the `fileUpload.fileExtensions` option is intended to be configured as an allowlist of file extensions that are valid for a specific application, not as a denylist. The default denylist is provided only as a basic default that covers most common problematic extensions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all potentially dangerous extensions. Developers should not rely on the default value, as new extensions that can render active content in browsers might emerge in the future. As a workaround, configure the `fileUpload.fileExtensions` option to use an allowlist of only the file extensions that your application needs, rather than relying on the default blocklist.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-03-18
Last Modified
2026-03-19
Generated
2026-05-07
AI Q&A
2026-03-19
EPSS Evaluated
2026-05-05
NVD
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 16 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server From 9.0.0 (inc) to 9.6.0 (exc)
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server 9.6.0
parseplatform parse-server to 8.6.41 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-79 The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users.
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?

This vulnerability affects Parse Server versions prior to 9.6.0-alpha.15 and 8.6.41. An attacker who is allowed to upload files can bypass the file extension filter by appending a MIME parameter (such as ';charset=utf-8') to the Content-Type header. This causes the extension validation to fail against the blocklist, allowing potentially dangerous active content to be stored and served under the application's domain.

Additionally, certain XML-based file extensions that can render scripts in web browsers were not included in the default blocklist, which can lead to stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. These attacks can compromise session tokens, user credentials, or other sensitive data accessible via the browser's local storage.

The fix implemented in versions 9.6.0-alpha.15 and 8.6.41 strips MIME parameters from the Content-Type header before validating the file extension against the blocklist and extends the default blocklist to include additional XML-based extensions that can render active content in browsers.

Developers are advised to configure the fileUpload.fileExtensions option as an allowlist of valid file extensions for their specific application rather than relying on the default blocklist, which is not exhaustive.


How can this vulnerability impact me? :

This vulnerability can allow attackers to upload and serve active content, such as scripts, under the application's domain by bypassing file extension filters.

As a result, attackers can perform stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, which may lead to the compromise of session tokens, user credentials, or other sensitive data accessible through the browser's local storage.

This can undermine the security of users interacting with the application, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further exploitation.


How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:

I don't know


How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?

I don't know


What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?

To mitigate this vulnerability, upgrade Parse Server to version 9.6.0-alpha.15 or 8.6.41 or later, where the issue has been fixed.

The fix involves stripping MIME parameters from the Content-Type header before validating the file extension against the blocklist.

Additionally, configure the fileUpload.fileExtensions option to use an allowlist of only the file extensions that your application needs, rather than relying on the default blocklist.

Be aware that the default blocklist is not exhaustive and new dangerous extensions might emerge, so explicitly specifying allowed extensions is safer.


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