CVE-2026-45363
`jwt` (Ruby gem) - empty-key HMAC bypass
- State
- Published
- Severity
- 9.1 Critical
- Published
- Jul 14, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 19, 2026
- Reserved
- May 12, 2026
Description
ruby-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.
Scores
| CVSS | Score | Vector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 9.1 Critical | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N | GitHub_M |
Weaknesses
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
ruby-jwtjwt |
|
References
- https://github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/security/advisories/GHSA-c32j-vqhx-rx3x
- https://github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/commit/9820020869ad147b941e49d96ab8beba35532964
- https://github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/commit/db560b769a07bd9724e77ff505011ac01872106f
- https://github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/releases/tag/v2.10.3
- https://github.com/jwt/ruby-jwt/releases/tag/v3.2.0
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2026/09/msg00022.html
Every record here comes from the CVE Program’s CVE List. © 1999–2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. The records are reproduced under the CVE Program terms of use.