JWT algorithm confusion in Hono JWK Auth Middleware when JWK lacks "alg" (untrusted header.alg fallback)
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · High · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-347.
Summary
Hono is a Web application framework that provides support for any JavaScript runtime. Prior to 4.11.4, there is a flaw in Hono’s JWK/JWKS JWT verification middleware allowed the algorithm specified in the JWT header to influence signature verification when the selected JWK did not explicitly define an algorithm. This could enable JWT algorithm confusion and, in certain configurations, allow forged tokens to be accepted. The JWK/JWKS JWT verification middleware has been updated to require an explicit allowlist of asymmetric algorithms when verifying tokens. The middleware no longer derives the verification algorithm from untrusted JWT header values. This vulnerability is fixed in 4.11.4.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| honojs | hono | before 4.11.4 | 4.11.4 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | hono (npm) | before 4.11.4 | 4.11.4 | Patch available | GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4 |
- hono Vendorhonojs Affected before 4.11.4 Fixed in 4.11.4 Patch available CNA
- hono (npm) Vendor— Affected before 4.11.4 Fixed in 4.11.4 Patch available GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4
Remediation
- Fix · CNA hono (honojs) Fixed in 4.11.4
- Fix · GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4 hono (npm) Fixed in 4.11.4 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-22818
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4
References
More honojs Hono vulnerabilities
- TI-2024-21741 Hono vulnerable to Restricted Directory Traversal in serveStatic with deno CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.3
- TI-2024-32610 Hono vulnerable to bypass of CSRF Middleware by a request without Content-Type header. CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.9
- TI-2024-29381 Hono CSRF middleware can be bypassed using crafted Content-Type header CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.0
- TI-2026-23190 Hono: Arbitrary file access via serveStatic vulnerability CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-22076 Hono is Vulnerable to Authentication Bypass by IP Spoofing in AWS Lambda ALB conninfo CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.2
- TI-2026-18333 JWT Algorithm Confusion via Unsafe Default (HS256) in Hono JWT Middleware Allows Token Forgery and Auth Bypass CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.2
Sources
- CVE-2026-22818 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-22818 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences