SurrealDB: SSRF via JWKS URL — Redirect Following in JWT Key Fetch
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub.
Summary
SurrealDB fetches the JWKS document for a JWT or record access method using a bare `reqwest` client that follows HTTP redirects by default. The network capability check in `core/src/iam/jwks.rs` (`check_capabilities_url`) is applied only to the originally configured URL; redirect targets are not re-validated. An `--allow-net`-permitted JWKS host that returns a `3xx Location` can therefore redirect the request to an address the allowlist was meant to block, resulting in a server-side request forgery (SSRF). The protected `HttpClient` used by `http::*` functions re-checks every redirect hop and was hardened in 3.1.0, but the JWKS fetcher uses its own client and was not covered. ### Impact What an attacker **can** do: - With the **Owner** role at database level or above (the minimum required to run `DEFINE ACCESS ... TYPE JWT URL` or `TYPE RECORD ... WITH JWT URL`), point an access method at an allowlisted host they control and redirect the server's GET to an otherwise-blocked target — cloud metadata, loopback, internal services — bypassing `--allow-net`/`--deny-net`. - Infer the existence and liveness of internal hosts and ports from response-timing differences (bounded by the 1-second fetch timeout). What it **can't** do: - Read the response: the fetch is blind — the body is only parsed as a JWKS, and a non-JWKS response surfaces as an opaque `InvalidAuth` error. Nothing is returned to the caller. - Modify data or affect availability (a single GET request). ### Patches The JWKS fetcher now applies a redirect policy that re-validates every redirect target against the configured network capabilities (mirroring `check_capabilities_url`) and caps redirects at `max_http_redirects`. - Versions prior to 3.1.5 are vulnerable. ### Workarounds - Restrict the Owner role to trusted operators. - Enforce egress filtering at the network layer (block link-local `169.254.0.0/16` and internal ranges) so redirect targets are unreachable regardless of in-process checks. - Configure access methods to use only trusted JWKS hosts that do not redirect, or use locally defined keys instead of a remote JWKS. ### References - [SurrealDB Documentation — Capabilities](https://surrealdb.com/docs/surrealdb/security/capabilities) - [SurrealQL Documentation — DEFINE ACCESS](https://surrealdb.com/docs/surrealql/statements/define/access) - `fix(iam): prevent SSRF in JWKS fetch by re-validating redirect targets`
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | surrealdb (crates.io) | before 3.1.5 | 3.1.5 | Patch available | GHSA-h5rg-8p7f-47g2 |
- surrealdb (crates.io) Vendor— Affected before 3.1.5 Fixed in 3.1.5 Patch available GHSA-h5rg-8p7f-47g2
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-h5rg-8p7f-47g2 surrealdb (crates.io) Fixed in 3.1.5 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-h5rg-8p7f-47g2
References
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences