CVE-2020-15084
Authorization bypass in express-jwt
CVE-2020-15084 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.7) in Auth0 Express-jwt, published June 30, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.22%, the 68th percentile. Fixed in express-jwt 6.0.0.
In express-jwt (NPM package) up and including version 5.3.3, the algorithms entry to be specified in the configuration is not being enforced. When algorithms is not specified in the configuration, with the combination of jwks-rsa, it may lead to authorization bypass. You are affected by this vulnerability if all of the following conditions apply: - You are using express-jwt - You do not have algorithms configured in your express-jwt configuration. - You are using libraries such as jwks-rsa as the secret. You can fix this by specifying algorithms in the express-jwt configuration. See linked GHSA for example. This is also fixed in version 6.0.0.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
7.7
Authorization bypass in express-jwt
In express-jwt (NPM package) up and including version 5.3.3, the algorithms entry to be specified in the configuration is not being enforced. When algorithms is not specified in the configuration, with the combination of jwks-rsa, it may lead to authorization bypass. You are affected by this vulnerability if all of the following conditions apply: - You are using express-jwt - You do not have algorithms configured in your express-jwt configuration. - You are using libraries such as jwks-rsa as the secret. You can fix this by specifying algorithms in the express-jwt configuration. See linked GHSA for example. This is also fixed in version 6.0.0.
- Record
CVE-2020-15084- CVSS 3.1
- 7.7 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-285
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-0463
7.7
In express-jwt (NPM package) up and including version 5.3.3, the algorithms entry to be specified in the configuration is not being enforced. When algorithms is not specified in the configuration, with the combination of jwks-rsa, it may lead to authorization bypass. You are affected by this vulnerability if all of the following conditions apply: - You are using express-jwt - You do not have algorithms configured in your express-jwt configuration. - You are using libraries such as jwks-rsa as the secret. You can fix this by specifying algorithms in the express-jwt configuration. See linked GHSA for example. This is also fixed in version 6.0.0.
- Record
EUVD-2020-0463- CVSS 3.1
- 7.7 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-6g6m-m6h5-w9gf
7.7
Authorization bypass in express-jwt
Overview
Versions before and including 5.3.3, we are not enforcing the algorithms entry to be specified in the configuration. When algorithms is not specified in the configuration, with the combination of jwks-rsa, it may lead to authorization bypass.
Am I affected?
You are affected by this vulnerability if all of the following conditions apply:
You are using express-jwt AND You do not have algorithms configured in your express-jwt configuration. AND You are using libraries such as jwks-rsa as the secret.
How to fix that?
Specify algorithms in the express-jwt configuration. The following is an example of a proper configuration
const checkJwt = jwt({
secret: jwksRsa.expressJwtSecret({
rateLimit: true,
jwksRequestsPerMinute: 5,
jwksUri: `https://${DOMAIN}/.well-known/jwks.json`
}),
// Validate the audience and the issuer.
audience: process.env.AUDIENCE,
issuer: `https://${DOMAIN}/`,
// restrict allowed algorithms
algorithms: ['RS256']
});
Will this update impact my users?
The fix provided in patch will not affect your users if you specified the algorithms allowed. The patch now makes algorithms a required configuration.
Credit
IST Group
- Record
GHSA-6g6m-m6h5-w9gf- CVSS 3.1
- 7.7 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-285, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
7.7
In express-jwt (NPM package) up and including version 5.3.3, the algorithms entry to be specified in the configuration is not being enforced. When algorithms is not specified in the configuration, with the combination of jwks-rsa, it may lead to authorization bypass. You are affected by this vulnerability if all of the following conditions apply: - You are using express-jwt - You do not have algorithms configured in your express-jwt configuration. - You are using libraries such as jwks-rsa as the secret. You can fix this by specifying algorithms in the express-jwt configuration. See linked GHSA for example. This is also fixed in version 6.0.0.
- Record
CVE-2020-15084- CVSS 3.1
- 7.7 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 9.1 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 4.3 Medium
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-285, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
9.1
In express-jwt (NPM package) up and including version 5.3.3, the algorithms entry to be specified in the configuration is not being enforced. When algorithms is not specified in the configuration, with the combination of jwks-rsa, it may lead to authorization bypass. You are affected by this vulnerability if all of the following conditions apply: - You are using express-jwt - You do not have algorithms configured in your express-jwt configuration. - You are using libraries such as jwks-rsa as the secret. You can fix this by specifying algorithms in the express-jwt configuration. See linked GHSA for example. This is also fixed in version 6.0.0.
- Record
CVE-2020-15084- CVSS 3.1
- 9.1 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-6g6m-m6h5-w9gf
7.7
Authorization bypass in express-jwt
Overview
Versions before and including 5.3.3, we are not enforcing the algorithms entry to be specified in the configuration. When algorithms is not specified in the configuration, with the combination of jwks-rsa, it may lead to authorization bypass.
Am I affected?
You are affected by this vulnerability if all of the following conditions apply:
You are using express-jwt AND You do not have algorithms configured in your express-jwt configuration. AND You are using libraries such as jwks-rsa as the secret.
How to fix that?
Specify algorithms in the express-jwt configuration. The following is an example of a proper configuration
const checkJwt = jwt({
secret: jwksRsa.expressJwtSecret({
rateLimit: true,
jwksRequestsPerMinute: 5,
jwksUri: `https://${DOMAIN}/.well-known/jwks.json`
}),
// Validate the audience and the issuer.
audience: process.env.AUDIENCE,
issuer: `https://${DOMAIN}/`,
// restrict allowed algorithms
algorithms: ['RS256']
});
Will this update impact my users?
The fix provided in patch will not affect your users if you specified the algorithms allowed. The patch now makes algorithms a required configuration.
Credit
IST Group
- Record
GHSA-6g6m-m6h5-w9gf- CVSS 3.1
- 7.7 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-285, CWE-863
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVCLSA-2026-1774570939 No score
TuxCare security update for express-jwt (1 CVE)
TuxCare rebuilt express-jwt to address 1 CVE. Fixed in 0.1.4-tuxcare.1.
- Record
CLSA-2026-1774570939- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVCLSA-2026-1774570940 No score
TuxCare security update for express-jwt (1 CVE)
TuxCare rebuilt express-jwt to address 1 CVE. Fixed in 0.1.3-tuxcare.1.
- Record
CLSA-2026-1774570940- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2020-15084 No score
CVE-2020-15084 in @rootio/express-jwt - Patched by Root
Root has patched CVE-2020-15084 in the @rootio/express-jwt package for Root:npm. Multiple fixed versions available.
- Record
ROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2020-15084- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
express-jwtnpm |
through 5.3.3 | 6.0.0 |
express-jwtTuxCare:npm |
0.1.4-tuxcare.0 up to 0.1.4-tuxcare.1, plus listed versions 0.1.4 |
0.1.4-tuxcare.1 |
express-jwtTuxCare:npm |
0.1.3-tuxcare.0 up to 0.1.3-tuxcare.1, plus listed versions 0.1.3 |
0.1.3-tuxcare.1 |
express-jwtnpm |
before 6.0.0 | 6.0.0 |
@rootio/express-jwtRoot:npm |
before 0.1.3-root.io.1 | 0.1.3-root.io.10.1.3-root.io.2 |
express-jwtRoot:npm |
before 0.1.3-aikido.2 | 0.1.3-aikido.2 |
History
| When | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-03 | aliases | EUVD |
| 2026-11-02 | created | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |