CVE-2017-16897
passport-wsfed-saml2 vulnerable to Signature Bypass in SAML2 token
A vulnerability has been discovered in the Auth0 passport-wsfed-saml2 library affecting versions < 3.0.5. This vulnerability allows an attacker to impersonate another user and potentially elevate their privileges if the SAML identity provider does not sign the full SAML response (e.g., only signs the assertion within the response).
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
A vulnerability has been discovered in the Auth0 passport-wsfed-saml2 library affecting versions < 3.0.5. This vulnerability allows an attacker to impersonate another user and potentially elevate their privileges if the SAML identity provider does not sign the full SAML response (e.g., only signs the assertion within the response).
- Record
CVE-2017-16897- CVSS 3.0
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 9.3 High
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-290
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
A vulnerability has been discovered in the Auth0 passport-wsfed-saml2 library affecting versions < 3.0.5. This vulnerability allows an attacker to impersonate another user and potentially elevate their privileges if the SAML identity provider does not sign the full SAML response (e.g., only signs the assertion within the response).
- Record
CVE-2017-16897- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-1724 No score
A vulnerability has been discovered in the Auth0 passport-wsfed-saml2 library affecting versions < 3.0.5. This vulnerability allows an attacker to impersonate another user and potentially elevate their privileges if the SAML identity provider does not sign the full SAML response (e.g., only signs the assertion within the response).
- Record
EUVD-2023-1724- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-77fw-rf4v-vfp9
passport-wsfed-saml2 vulnerable to Signature Bypass in SAML2 token
Information
Please note that this is not a new disclosure, and is previously reported in our SECURITY-NOTICE.md which we removed in favor of github advisory.
Overview
This vulnerability allows an attacker to impersonate another user and potentially elevate their privileges if the SAML identity provider:
-
signs SAML response and signs assertion
-
does not sign SAML response and signs assertion
Am I affected?
You may be affected if you use SAML2 protocol with passport-wsfed-saml2 versions below 3.0.5 and your SAML identity Provider:
- signs SAML response and signs assertion; or
- does not sign SAML response and signs assertion
How do I fix it?
You may fix this vulnerability by upgrading your library to version 3.0.5 or above.
Will the fix impact my users?
This fix patches the library that your application runs, but will not impact your users, their current state, or any existing sessions.
- Record
GHSA-77fw-rf4v-vfp9- CVSS 3.0
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-290
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
A vulnerability has been discovered in the Auth0 passport-wsfed-saml2 library affecting versions < 3.0.5. This vulnerability allows an attacker to impersonate another user and potentially elevate their privileges if the SAML identity provider does not sign the full SAML response (e.g., only signs the assertion within the response).
- Record
CVE-2017-16897- CVSS 3.0
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-77fw-rf4v-vfp9
passport-wsfed-saml2 vulnerable to Signature Bypass in SAML2 token
Information
Please note that this is not a new disclosure, and is previously reported in our SECURITY-NOTICE.md which we removed in favor of github advisory.
Overview
This vulnerability allows an attacker to impersonate another user and potentially elevate their privileges if the SAML identity provider:
-
signs SAML response and signs assertion
-
does not sign SAML response and signs assertion
Am I affected?
You may be affected if you use SAML2 protocol with passport-wsfed-saml2 versions below 3.0.5 and your SAML identity Provider:
- signs SAML response and signs assertion; or
- does not sign SAML response and signs assertion
How do I fix it?
You may fix this vulnerability by upgrading your library to version 3.0.5 or above.
Will the fix impact my users?
This fix patches the library that your application runs, but will not impact your users, their current state, or any existing sessions.
- Record
GHSA-77fw-rf4v-vfp9- CVSS 3.0
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-290
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
passport-wsfed-saml2npm |
before 3.0.5 | 3.0.5 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2017-16897 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.1) in Auth0 Passport-wsfed-saml2, published December 23, 2017. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.38%, the 72nd percentile. Fixed in passport-wsfed-saml2 3.0.5.
References
auth0.com/docs/security/bulletins/cve-2017-16897
github.com/auth0/passport-wsfed-saml2/security/advisories/GHSA-77fw-rf4v-vfp9
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-16897