Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Some PHP applications may have trusted JWT tokens signed with the file path string instead of the intended key file contents. This weakens token integrity for affected configurations, but only when HMAC JWT algorithms and LocalFileReference keys are used together.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted dependency and configuration issue, not a broad internet-wide emergency. Prioritize review where JWTs protect login sessions or authorization decisions. Patch during the next security maintenance window, faster for externally exposed authentication services using the affected pattern.
Technical view
CVE-2021-41106 affects lcobucci/jwt versions 3.4.0-3.4.5, 4.0.0-4.0.3, and 4.1.0-4.1.4. HS256, HS384, and HS512 signing or validation with Lcobucci\JWT\Signer\Key\LocalFileReference used the path as the HMAC key. Patched releases load file contents and deprecate LocalFileReference.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to applications using lcobucci/jwt in the affected version ranges, HMAC algorithms, and LocalFileReference for key material. Applications using unaffected versions or the recommended InMemory key type are not indicated as affected by the supplied sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not cite active exploitation, and KEV is false. The CVSS vector indicates local access and low privileges, with low confidentiality and integrity impact and no availability impact. The practical risk depends on whether token signing or validation relied on the vulnerable key reference pattern.
Researcher notes
The issue maps to CWE-345 and concerns improper verification due to wrong HMAC key material. The advisory names exact affected ranges and patched versions. Evidence does not support claims about remote exploitation, affected products beyond lcobucci/jwt, or impact outside HMAC plus LocalFileReference configurations.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade lcobucci/jwt to 3.4.6, 4.0.4, 4.1.5, or later applicable versions.
- Replace LocalFileReference key usage with Lcobucci\JWT\Signer\Key\InMemory where applicable.
- Review vendor advisory guidance before changing token lifecycle or key handling.
- Prioritize services where JWTs control authentication, authorization, or sensitive session state.
Validation and detection
- Check composer.lock for lcobucci/jwt versions in the affected ranges.
- Search application code for LocalFileReference used with HS256, HS384, or HS512.
- Confirm deployments run a patched lcobucci/jwt release.
- Verify tests cover JWT signing and validation for the configured key-loading path.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-345: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCredential and access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-41106 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 4.4 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N1.82.5Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
4.4MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/lcobucci/jwt/security/advisories/GHSA-7322-jrq4-x5hfCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/lcobucci/jwt/commit/8175de5b841fbe3fd97d2d49b3fc15c4ecb39a73CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/lcobucci/jwt/commit/c45bb8b961a8e742d8f6b88ef5ff1bd5cca5d01cCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity
Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.