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8.1
PHP JWT Framework: Algorithm Confusion Attacks via Header Override
published 4 months ago
Summary
The PHP JWT Framework is vulnerable to attacks where an attacker can override the algorithm used to verify JSON Web Signatures. This can happen when an application uses a JWKSet with keys of different types. To protect against this, ensure that the algorithm used in the protected header is not overridden by an attacker. Update the framework to correctly handle header merging to prevent this vulnerability.
What to do
- Update web-token jwt-library to version 3.4.10.
- Update web-token jwt-library to version 4.0.7.
- Update web-token jwt-library to version 4.1.7.
Affected software
| Ecosystem | Vendor | Product | Affected versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| composer | web-token | jwt-framework | <= 4.2.99 |
| composer | web-token | jwt-library |
< 3.4.10 >= 4.0.0, < 4.0.7 >= 4.1.0, < 4.1.7 Fix: upgrade to 3.4.10
|
Original advisory text
PHP JWT Framework: JWSVerifier uses algorithm from unprotected header, enabling algorithm confusion attacks
## Summary
`JWSVerifier::getAlgorithm()` in `src/Library/Signature/JWSVerifier.php` (line 144) merges protected and unprotected headers using PHP's spread operator:
```php
$completeHeader = [...$signature->getProtectedHeader(), ...$signature->getHeader()];
```
In PHP, when spreading arrays with duplicate string keys, the **last array's values take precedence**. Since the unprotected header (`getHeader()`) is spread second, an attacker can override the integrity-protected `alg` parameter by placing a different value in the unprotected header.
This creates a Time-of-Check/Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) vulnerability:
1. `HeaderCheckerManager` validates `alg` from the **protected** header
2. `JWSVerifier` uses `alg` from the **unprotected** header for actual verification
The same issue exists in `JWEDecrypter.php` (lines 120-124) where `array_merge()` exhibits the same last-wins behavior for `alg` and `enc`.
## Affected Code
**JWSVerifier.php line 144** — Spread operator merge order allows unprotected header to override `alg`:
```php
$completeHeader = [...$signature->getProtectedHeader(), ...$signature->getHeader()];
```
**JWEDecrypter.php lines 120-124** — `array_merge()` with same last-wins behavior:
```php
$completeHeader = array_merge(
$jwe->getSharedProtectedHeader(),
$jwe->getSharedHeader(),
$recipient->getHeader()
);
```
## Attack Vectors
### Vector A — Mixed key sets (HIGH probability)
If the application uses a JWKSet containing keys of different types (common in multi-tenant or federation scenarios), the JWSVerifier iterates all keys (line 86). An attacker can force a different algorithm that matches a different key in the set.
### Vector B — alg ONLY in unprotected header (HIGH probability)
If `alg` is placed EXCLUSIVELY in the unprotected header (not in the protected header at all), `HeaderCheckerManager::checkDuplicatedHeaderParameters()` does NOT trigger. The JSON Flattened/General serializers allow tokens with no protected header or a protected header without `alg`. RFC 7515 Section 4.1.1 states `alg` MUST be integrity-protected, but the library does not enforce this.
### Vector C — Direct JWSVerifier usage (HIGH probability)
`JWSLoader` takes `?HeaderCheckerManager` (nullable). If developers use `JWSVerifier` directly or create `JWSLoader` without a `HeaderCheckerManager`, the duplicate header check never runs.
## Contrast with JWSBuilder (safe)
`JWSBuilder::findSignatureAlgorithm()` (line 196) uses `[...$header, ...$protectedHeader]` where protected wins. It also has `checkDuplicatedHeaderParameters()` (line 218). The JWSVerifier has **neither** safeguard.
## Proof of Concept
```php
<?php
// Demonstrate algorithm override via unprotected header
$protected = ["alg" => "RS256", "typ" => "JWT"];
$unprotected = ["alg" => "HS256"];
$merged = [...$protected, ...$unprotected];
// $merged["alg"] === "HS256" — unprotected wins!
// JSON Flattened JWS with algorithm override:
$maliciousJws = json_encode([
'payload' => base64url_encode($payload),
'protected' => base64url_encode('{"alg":"RS256"}'),
'header' => ['alg' => 'HS256'], // OVERRIDE
'signature' => base64url_encode($sig),
]);
// HeaderCheckerManager validates RS256 from protected header -> PASS
// JWSVerifier uses HS256 from unprotected header -> attacker's algorithm choice
```
A full working PoC demonstrating HS512-to-HS256 downgrade with mixed keysets is available upon request.
## Suggested Fix
In `JWSVerifier::getAlgorithm()`, read `alg` exclusively from the protected header:
```php
private function getAlgorithm(Signature $signature): Algorithm
{
$protectedHeader = $signature->getProtectedHeader();
if (! isset($protectedHeader['alg'])) {
throw new InvalidArgumentException('The "alg" parameter must be in the protected header.');
}
return $this->signatureAlgorithmManager->get($protectedHeader['alg']);
}
```
For `JWEDecrypter`, reverse the merge order so protected header wins, or extract `alg`/`enc` exclusively from the protected header.
## Résolution
Un correctif a été préparé sur une branche dédiée basée sur `3.4.x`, avec des tests anti-régression dédiés (fork privé temporaire de cette advisory, PR #1).
**JWS algorithm confusion** — `JWSVerifier` lit le paramètre `alg` exclusivement dans le header protégé en intégrité (RFC 7515 §4.1.1) ; un `alg` placé dans le header non protégé ne peut plus surcharger l'algorithme signé.
**Validation :** `php -l` OK, PHPUnit vert, aucune nouvelle erreur PHPStan introduite (différentiel nul vs `3.4.x`), aucun commentaire ajouté dans le code source. Après merge, cascade prévue `3.4.x → 4.0.x → 4.1.x`.
`JWSVerifier::getAlgorithm()` in `src/Library/Signature/JWSVerifier.php` (line 144) merges protected and unprotected headers using PHP's spread operator:
```php
$completeHeader = [...$signature->getProtectedHeader(), ...$signature->getHeader()];
```
In PHP, when spreading arrays with duplicate string keys, the **last array's values take precedence**. Since the unprotected header (`getHeader()`) is spread second, an attacker can override the integrity-protected `alg` parameter by placing a different value in the unprotected header.
This creates a Time-of-Check/Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) vulnerability:
1. `HeaderCheckerManager` validates `alg` from the **protected** header
2. `JWSVerifier` uses `alg` from the **unprotected** header for actual verification
The same issue exists in `JWEDecrypter.php` (lines 120-124) where `array_merge()` exhibits the same last-wins behavior for `alg` and `enc`.
## Affected Code
**JWSVerifier.php line 144** — Spread operator merge order allows unprotected header to override `alg`:
```php
$completeHeader = [...$signature->getProtectedHeader(), ...$signature->getHeader()];
```
**JWEDecrypter.php lines 120-124** — `array_merge()` with same last-wins behavior:
```php
$completeHeader = array_merge(
$jwe->getSharedProtectedHeader(),
$jwe->getSharedHeader(),
$recipient->getHeader()
);
```
## Attack Vectors
### Vector A — Mixed key sets (HIGH probability)
If the application uses a JWKSet containing keys of different types (common in multi-tenant or federation scenarios), the JWSVerifier iterates all keys (line 86). An attacker can force a different algorithm that matches a different key in the set.
### Vector B — alg ONLY in unprotected header (HIGH probability)
If `alg` is placed EXCLUSIVELY in the unprotected header (not in the protected header at all), `HeaderCheckerManager::checkDuplicatedHeaderParameters()` does NOT trigger. The JSON Flattened/General serializers allow tokens with no protected header or a protected header without `alg`. RFC 7515 Section 4.1.1 states `alg` MUST be integrity-protected, but the library does not enforce this.
### Vector C — Direct JWSVerifier usage (HIGH probability)
`JWSLoader` takes `?HeaderCheckerManager` (nullable). If developers use `JWSVerifier` directly or create `JWSLoader` without a `HeaderCheckerManager`, the duplicate header check never runs.
## Contrast with JWSBuilder (safe)
`JWSBuilder::findSignatureAlgorithm()` (line 196) uses `[...$header, ...$protectedHeader]` where protected wins. It also has `checkDuplicatedHeaderParameters()` (line 218). The JWSVerifier has **neither** safeguard.
## Proof of Concept
```php
<?php
// Demonstrate algorithm override via unprotected header
$protected = ["alg" => "RS256", "typ" => "JWT"];
$unprotected = ["alg" => "HS256"];
$merged = [...$protected, ...$unprotected];
// $merged["alg"] === "HS256" — unprotected wins!
// JSON Flattened JWS with algorithm override:
$maliciousJws = json_encode([
'payload' => base64url_encode($payload),
'protected' => base64url_encode('{"alg":"RS256"}'),
'header' => ['alg' => 'HS256'], // OVERRIDE
'signature' => base64url_encode($sig),
]);
// HeaderCheckerManager validates RS256 from protected header -> PASS
// JWSVerifier uses HS256 from unprotected header -> attacker's algorithm choice
```
A full working PoC demonstrating HS512-to-HS256 downgrade with mixed keysets is available upon request.
## Suggested Fix
In `JWSVerifier::getAlgorithm()`, read `alg` exclusively from the protected header:
```php
private function getAlgorithm(Signature $signature): Algorithm
{
$protectedHeader = $signature->getProtectedHeader();
if (! isset($protectedHeader['alg'])) {
throw new InvalidArgumentException('The "alg" parameter must be in the protected header.');
}
return $this->signatureAlgorithmManager->get($protectedHeader['alg']);
}
```
For `JWEDecrypter`, reverse the merge order so protected header wins, or extract `alg`/`enc` exclusively from the protected header.
## Résolution
Un correctif a été préparé sur une branche dédiée basée sur `3.4.x`, avec des tests anti-régression dédiés (fork privé temporaire de cette advisory, PR #1).
**JWS algorithm confusion** — `JWSVerifier` lit le paramètre `alg` exclusivement dans le header protégé en intégrité (RFC 7515 §4.1.1) ; un `alg` placé dans le header non protégé ne peut plus surcharger l'algorithme signé.
**Validation :** `php -l` OK, PHPUnit vert, aucune nouvelle erreur PHPStan introduite (différentiel nul vs `3.4.x`), aucun commentaire ajouté dans le code source. Après merge, cascade prévue `3.4.x → 4.0.x → 4.1.x`.
Internet-facing
3 days
Internal
60 days
- Not known to be exploited
- Can be exploited automatically (estimated)
- Gives an attacker full control (estimated)
Type
CWE-345Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity
Timeline
Published18 Jun 2026
Updated18 Jun 2026
First seen18 Jun 2026
Sources
GHSA-jc38-x7x8-2xc8 · GHSA
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