Authentication bypass in python-jose lets attackers forge JWTs
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- Present
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · None
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-347.
Summary
python-jose through 3.5.0 accepts zero-length HMAC secrets in HMACKey and CryptographyHMACKey, so it fails to verify JWT signatures properly (CWE-347). When an application's HS256, HS384 or HS512 verification key resolves to empty, such as an oct JWK with an empty k, an unauthenticated remote attacker can forge tokens with arbitrary claims that jwt.decode accepts.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02
Description from the CNA
python-jose through 3.5.0 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to forge JWTs because HMACKey and CryptographyHMACKey accept zero-length HMAC secrets. When an application's HS256/HS384/HS512 verification key resolves to empty, such as an oct JWK with empty k, attackers can forge tokens with arbitrary claims that jwt.decode accepts.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
Remediation
The sources list no fixed version for python-jose.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-02
Timeline
- 2026-11-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-120459
- 2026-11-02 Alias added: GHSA-7jv8-hwmh-86qc
- 2026-11-04 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
References
More mpdavis vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-58602 python-jose through 3.5.0 Algorithm Confusion via DER-encoded Public Key as HMAC Secret CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
Sources
- CVE-2026-120459 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-120459 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-7jv8-hwmh-86qc · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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