Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information in HMAC SHA256 Authentication
Impact
secretKey, an important key for HMAC SHA256 authentication, was stored in the database in raw form.
If a malicious person somehow had access to the data in the database, they could use the key and secretKey for HMAC SHA256 authentication to send requests impersonating that person.
Patches
Upgrade to Shield v1.0.0-beta.8 or later.
After upgrading, all existing secret keys must be encrypted. See https://github.com/codeigniter4/shield/blob/develop/UPGRADING.md for details.
Workarounds
None.
References
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue or discussion in codeigniter4/shield
- Email us at security@codeigniter.com
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer package | codeigniter4/shield | < 1.0.0-beta.8 | 1.0.0-beta.8 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-312- Platform
- Composer
- Package
codeigniter4/shield- Disclosed
- 23.11.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-v427-c49j-8w6x - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: codeigniter4/shield
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Composer package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 4
- First → latest
- 08.2022 11.2023
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Medium 4
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 3
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information in HMAC SHA256 Authentication this entry
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