backstage: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-106488 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in backstage, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected backstage versions: < 1.54.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.28% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Backstage/plugin-auth-backend-module-oidc-provider to 0.4.20 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backstage | backstage | < 1.54.6 | Not stated |
| @backstage | plugin-auth-backend-module-oidc-provider | < 0.4.20 | Not stated |
| Linux Foundation | Backstage/plugin-auth-backend-module-oidc-provider | before 0.4.20 | 0.4.20 |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Backstage is an open framework for building developer portals. Prior to 0.4.20, the @backstage/plugin-auth-backend-module-oidc-provider package is affected by improper authentication in the oidc provider. Deployments using OIDC email-based identity resolution with a provider that permits unverified email addresses may allow an authenticated provider user to assume another catalog identity. This may grant access and permissions associated with that user. No direct availability impact is demonstrated. This issue is fixed in version 0.4.20.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in backstage
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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