chore: remove json parse from unsafe code

[t1agob]

Description

This PR refactors areas where JSON.parse was used in unsafe code which leaves the potential for unexpected exceptions.

It also bumps Backstage package versions.

Issue number: N/A

Type of change

• New feature (non-breaking change which adds functionality)
• Fix (non-breaking change which fixes an issue)
• Breaking change (fix or feature that would cause existing functionality to not work as expected)

Checklist

• I have performed a self-review of this change
• Changes have been tested
• Changes are documented
• Changes generate no new warnings
• PR title follows conventional commit semantics

If this is a breaking change 👇

• I have documented the migration process
• I have implemented necessary warnings (if it can live side by side)

Acknowledgement

By submitting this pull request, I confirm that you can use, modify, copy, and redistribute this contribution, under the terms of your choice.

Disclaimer: We value your time and bandwidth. As such, any pull requests created on non-triaged issues might not be successful.