CVE-2026-45363

CRITICAL

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

Title source: cna
STIX 2.1

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 v3 9.1
EPSS 0.0024
EPSS Percentile 15.5%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable yes
Technical Impact total

Details

CWE
CWE-1391 CWE-287 CWE-326
Status published
Products (2)
jwt/ruby-jwt < 2.10.3
jwt/ruby-jwt >= 3.0.0, < 3.2.0
Published Jul 14, 2026
Tracked Since Jul 15, 2026