CVE-2026-22818
mediumpriority · track · 26EPSS 0.001 · 3 %ileDEEUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
Hono is a Web application framework that provides support for any JavaScript runtime. Prior to 4.11.4, there is a flaw in Hono’s JWK/JWKS JWT verification middleware allowed the algorithm specified in the JWT header to influence signature verification when the selected JWK did not explicitly define an algorithm. This could enable JWT algorithm confusion and, in certain configurations, allow forged tokens to be accepted. The JWK/JWKS JWT verification middleware has been updated to require an explicit allowlist of asymmetric algorithms when verifying tokens. The middleware no longer derives the verification algorithm from untrusted JWT header values. This vulnerability is fixed in 4.11.4.
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode⚠ sources disagree · medium–high · 6–8.2
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (7)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
advisories (2)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- WID-SEC-W-2026-0328IBM App Connect Enterprise Certified Container: Mehrere SchwachstellenDeutsch2026-02-05csaf · cert_bundDE
Ein Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in IBM App Connect Enterprise Certified Container ausnutzen, um beliebigen Programmcode auszuführen, einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand zu verursachen, die Authentifizierung zu umgehen, vertrauliche Informationen zu manipulieren oder offenzulegen.
- GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4Hono JWK Auth Middleware has JWT algorithm confusion when JWK lacks "alg" (untrusted header.alg fallback)2026-01-13ghsa · osvUS
## Summary A flaw in Hono’s JWK/JWKS JWT verification middleware allowed the algorithm specified in the JWT header to influence signature verification when the selected JWK did not explicitly define an algorithm. This could enable JWT algorithm confusion and, in certain configurations, allow forged tokens to be accepted. ## Details When verifying JWTs using JWKs or a JWKS endpoint, the middleware selected the verification algorithm based on the JWK’s `alg` field if present. If the JWK did not specify an algorithm, the middleware fell back to using the `alg` value provided in the unverified JWT header. Because the `alg` field in a JWK is optional and commonly omitted in real-world JWKS configurations, this behavior could allow an attacker to influence which algorithm is used for verification. In some environments, this may result in authentication or authorization bypass through crafted JWTs. The practical impact depends on application configuration, including which algorithms are accepted and how JWTs are used to make authorization decisions. ## Impact In affected configurations, an attacker may be able to forge JWTs with attacker-controlled claims, potentially leading to authentication or authorization bypass. Applications that do not use the JWK/JWKS middleware, do not rely on JWT-based authentication, or explicitly restrict allowed algorithms are not affected. ## Resolution Update to the latest patched release. **Breaking change:** The JWK/JWKS JWT verification middleware has been updated to require an explicit allowlist of asymmetric algorithms when verifying tokens. The middleware no longer derives the verification algorithm from untrusted JWT header values. Instead, callers must explicitly specify which asymmetric algorithms are permitted, and only tokens signed with those algorithms will be accepted. This prevents JWT algorithm confusion by ensuring that algorithm selection is fully controlled by application configuration. As part of this fix, the `alg` option is now required when using the JWK/JWKS middleware, and symmetric (HS*) algorithms are no longer accepted in this context. ### Before (vulnerable configuration) ```ts import { jwk } from 'hono/jwk' app.use( '/auth/*', jwk({ jwks_uri: 'https://example.com/.well-known/jwks.json', // alg was optional }) ) ``` ### After (patched configuration) ```ts import { jwk } from 'hono/jwk' app.use( '/auth/*', jwk({ jwks_uri: 'https://example.com/.well-known/jwks.json', alg: ['RS256'], // required: explicit asymmetric algorithm allowlist }) ) ```
also known as (3)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (8)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2026-22818cnnvd
- https://github.com/honojs/hono/commit/190f6e28e2ca85ce3d1f2f54db1310f5f3eab134cnnvd
- https://github.com/honojs/hono/releasesPatchcnnvd
- https://github.com/honojs/hono/security/advisories/GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4cnnvd
- https://github.com/honojs/hono/commit/190f6e28e2ca85ce3d1f2f54db1310f5f3eab134enisa_euvd
- https://github.com/honojs/hono/security/advisories/GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4enisa_euvd
- https://github.com/honojs/hono/commit/190f6e28e2ca85ce3d1f2f54db1310f5f3eab134Patchnvd
- https://github.com/honojs/hono/security/advisories/GHSA-3vhc-576x-3qv4Third Party Advisorynvd
Attackers weaponise vulnerabilities like this against internet-exposed services. See what is exposed on your perimeter with a free passive scan.
Free scan