Sources: National Vulnerability Database, CVE.org, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS
CVE-2026-120459 Overview
python-jose through 3.5.0 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to forge JWTs because HMACKey and CryptographyHMACKey accept zero-length HMAC secrets. When an application's HS256/HS384/HS512 verification key resolves to empty, such as an oct JWK with empty k, attackers can forge tokens with arbitrary claims that jwt.decode accepts.
Critical Impact
Affected Products
- python-jose: see the vendor advisory for the exact affected versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-11-02: CVE-2026-120459 published to the National Vulnerability Database by disclosure@vulncheck.com
- 2026-11-02: last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-120459
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-120459 is a Security Vulnerability weakness (CWE-347) in python-jose. Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction.
With a CVSS base score of 9.1, apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Root Cause
The vendor description states: python-jose through 3.5.0 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to forge JWTs because HMACKey and CryptographyHMACKey accept zero-length HMAC secrets. When an application's HS256/HS384/HS512 verification key resolves to empty, such as an oct JWK with empty k, attackers can forge tokens with arbitrary claims that jwt.decode accepts.
Attack Vector
Based on the CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. Attack complexity is low complexity.
No exploitation in the wild is confirmed by CISA at the time of the last update. Check the references below for any vendor or researcher proof of concept.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-120459
Detection Strategies
- Inventory every instance of python-jose and compare the running version with the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Run an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner ships a check for this CVE.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward python-jose application, access and audit logs to your SIEM for retrospective hunting.
- Alert on new processes, configuration changes or outbound connections from the affected service.
- Track the vendor advisory and the CISA KEV catalog for changes in exploitation status.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-120459
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed version of python-jose named in the vendor advisory.
- Prioritize internet facing and business critical instances first.
- Rescan after the change to confirm the exposure is closed.
Patch Information
Use the fixed version listed in the vendor advisory for python-jose.
Workarounds
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and place it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
CWE References
Technical References
This entry is built directly from NVD, CISA KEV and EPSS data. Verify fixed versions in the vendor advisory before you deploy.
Frequently asked questions
Related CVEs
Nginx UI is a web user interface for the Nginx web server. Prior to version 2.3.4, the nginx-ui backup restore mechanism allows attackers to tamper with encrypted backup archives and inject malicious configuration during restoration. This issue has been patched in version 2.3.4.
Improper verification of cryptographic signature in Azure Data Factory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
Fleet is open source device management software. In versions prior to 4.78.3, 4.77.1, 4.76.2, 4.75.2, and 4.53.3, a vulnerability in Fleet's Windows MDM enrollment flow could allow an attacker to submit forged authentication tokens that are not properly validated. Because JWT signatures were not verified, Fleet could accept attacker-controlled identity claims, enabling enrollment of unauthorized devices under arbitrary Azure AD user identities. Versions 4.78.3, 4.77.1, 4.76.2, 4.75.2, and 4.53.3 fix the issue. If an immediate upgrade is not possible, affected Fleet users should temporarily disable Windows MDM.
Improper verification of cryptographic signature in Copilot Studio allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
ZEBRA is a Zcash node written entirely in Rust. Prior to zebrad version 4.4.0 and prior to zebra-script version 6.0.0, the fix for CVE-2026-41583 introduced a separate issue due to insufficient error handling of the case where the sighash type is invalid, during sighash computation. Instead of returning an error, the normal flow would resume, and the input sighash buffer would be left untouched. In scenarios where a previous signature validation could leave a valid sighash in the buffer, an invalid hash-type could be incorrectly accepted, which would create a consensus split between Zebra and zcashd nodes. This issue has been patched in zebrad version 4.4.0 and zebra-script version 6.0.0.
Electrum before 4.8.3 fails to verify signatures of wallet-owned inputs in unconfirmed mempool transactions, allowing malicious servers to replace a just-broadcast transaction with a conflicting one. Attackers can swallow the user's transaction and display an invalid zero-fee copy paying an attacker address, tricking users into RBF fee-bumping and signing it.
Earn your free CTEM certification.
Learn to scope, prioritize, validate and mobilize fixes for CVEs like CVE-2026-120459 with a free CTEM certification.
Beginner / Practitioner / Program Leader
Explore certifications