pyjwt: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
CVE-2026-102266 is a critical-severity improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability in pyjwt from Jpadilla, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected pyjwt versions: >= 2.13.0, < 2.14.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.22% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of pyjwt you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.4 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
PyJWT is a Python implementation of JSON Web Token standards. From 2.13.0 until 2.14.0, HMACAlgorithm.from_jwk is affected because PyJWK verification path used the decoded key without applying prepare_key validation. This occurs when a trusted JWK Set contains an oct entry with an empty k value. As a result, an attacker signs an HMAC token with the same zero-length key accepted by PyJWT. Consequently, forged token can carry arbitrary authenticated claims. This issue is fixed in version 2.14.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
The product does not verify, or incorrectly verifies, the cryptographic signature for data.
More Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities (CWE-347)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in pyjwt
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Recent Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
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