`jwt` (Ruby gem) - empty-key HMAC bypass

Summary

CVECVE-2026-45363
StatePUBLISHED
AssignerGitHub_M
Source PriorityCVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback
Published2026-07-14 22:16:54 UTC
Updated2026-07-14 22:16:54 UTC
Descriptionruby-jwt is a Ruby implementation of the RFC 7519 OAuth JSON Web Token standard. Prior to 2.10.3 and 3.2.0, JWT.decode(token, '', true, algorithm: 'HS256') accepts an attacker-forged token because OpenSSL::HMAC.digest('SHA256', '', payload) returns a valid digest under an empty key and no empty-key precondition exists in the HMAC algorithm. The same path is reached when a keyfinder block or key_finder: argument returns an empty string, nil, or an array containing nil for an unknown key, affecting HS256, HS384, and HS512 verification through JWT.decode and JWT::EncodedToken#verify_signature!. This issue is fixed in versions 2.10.3 and 3.2.0.

Risk And Classification

Primary CVSS: v3.1 9.1 CRITICAL from [email protected]

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Problem Types: CWE-287 | CWE-326 | CWE-1391 | CWE-287 CWE-287: Improper Authentication | CWE-326 CWE-326: Inadequate Encryption Strength | CWE-1391 CWE-1391: Use of Weak Credentials


VersionSourceTypeScoreSeverityVector
3.1[email protected]Secondary9.1CRITICALCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
3.1CNADECLARED9.1CRITICALCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

CVSS v3.1 Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Vendor Declared Affected Products

SourceVendorProductVersionPlatforms
CNA Jwt Ruby-jwt affected < 2.10.3 Not specified
CNA Jwt Ruby-jwt affected >= 3.0.0, < 3.2.0 Not specified

References

ReferenceSourceLinkTags
github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/commit/db560b769a07bd9724e77ff505011ac01872106f [email protected] github.com
github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/security/advisories/GHSA-c32j-vqhx-rx3x [email protected] github.com
github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/releases/tag/v3.2.0 [email protected] github.com
github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/commit/9820020869ad147b941e49d96ab8beba35532964 [email protected] github.com
github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/releases/tag/v2.10.3 [email protected] github.com
CVE Program record CVE.ORG www.cve.org canonical
NVD vulnerability detail NVD nvd.nist.gov canonical, analysis
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