Authentication bypass via whitespace-prefixed RSA key
Published Apr 6, 2026 · Updated Apr 6, 2026
JWT algorithm confusion in Nearform fast-jwt 6.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to forge accepted tokens with an RSA public key. The publicKeyPemMatcher in src/crypto.js matches only at position zero, so leading whitespace makes performDetectPublicKeyAlgorithms misclassify an RSA public key as an HMAC secret. Exploitation requires RS256 verification with a whitespace-prefixed public key, no explicit algorithm allowlist, and knowledge of that public key; accepted attacker-chosen claims can bypass authentication and authorization.
Summary
What happened
JWT algorithm confusion in Nearform fast-jwt 6.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to forge accepted tokens with an RSA public key. The publicKeyPemMatcher in src/crypto.js matches only at position zero, so leading whitespace makes performDetectPublicKeyAlgorithms misclassify an RSA public key as an HMAC secret. Exploitation requires RS256 verification with a whitespace-prefixed public key, no explicit algorithm allowlist, and knowledge of that public key; accepted attacker-chosen claims can bypass authentication and authorization.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-34950
- Published
- Apr 6, 2026
- Updated
- Apr 6, 2026
- Vendor
- Nearform
- Product
- fast-jwt
- Classifications
- CWE-327, T1606
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 6, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 6, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=<= 6.1.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- GHSA-mvf2-f6gm-w987 JWT forgery proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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