pac4j: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
CVE-2026-82461 is a high-severity improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerability in pac4j, 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 6.5.6 as the first without the flaw, so updating pac4j to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.32% 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 pac4j to 6.5.6 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on pac4j.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
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
- 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 (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.6 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
pac4j-oidc before 6.5.6 fails to verify access token signatures, issuers, audiences, or expiry when extracting Keycloak realm and client roles. Attackers can forge access tokens with administrative roles paired with valid ID tokens to bypass authorization checks in applications relying on pac4j role validation.
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: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in pac4j
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.2 Critical severity
Recent Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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