@fastify/jwt: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
CVE-2026-18500 is a high-severity improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability in @fastify/jwt, 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. The record lists version 10.2.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating @fastify/jwt to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.26% 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 @fastify/jwt to 10.2.2 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on cna.openjsf.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| @fastify/jwt | @fastify/jwt | before 10.2.2 | 10.2.2 |
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.
Official description
@fastify/jwt is a JSON Web Token plugin for Fastify. In versions before 10.2.2, a per-request verification key passed to request.jwtVerify({ key }) is silently overridden by the plugin's globally configured secret, because the option merge applies the global key last. Applications that use different keys for different authorization domains, for example separate user and admin keys, therefore accept a token signed with the global key on a route that explicitly requires another key. This lets an ordinary authenticated user cross a key-based trust boundary without knowing either secret. The issue is fixed in @fastify/jwt 10.2.2, where an explicit per-call key takes precedence over the global secret. Users should upgrade to 10.2.2.
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: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Recent Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
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