CVE-2023-27490: Next auth Missing Proper State, Nonce And Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-7r7x-4c4q-c4qf
CVSS 8.1
CWE-352
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-27490 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.1) missing proper state, nonce and vulnerability (CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)) affecting Next auth libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves missing proper state, nonce and pkce checks for oauth authentication. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.20.1.

CVE-2023-27490 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-27490
GHSA Identifier GHSA-7r7x-4c4q-c4qf
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.1
CWE Classification CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Affected Product Next auth
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.1

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2023-27490

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Next auth dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

next-auth fixed: 4.20.1
npm install next-auth@4.20.1
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

npm ls next-auth

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2023-27490, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls next-auth

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Next auth in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 4.20.1), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls next-auth command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), where the web application does not, or cannot, sufficiently verify whether a request was intentionally provided by the user who sent the request, which could have originated from an unauthorized actor. In Next auth, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact `next-auth` applications using OAuth provider versions before `v4.20.1` are affected. A bad actor who can spy on the victim's network or able to social engineer the victim to click a manipulated login link could intercept and tamper with the authorization URL to **log in as the victim**, bypassing the CSRF protection. As an example, an attack can happen in the following scenario. > TL;DR: The attacker steals the victim's authenticated callback by intercepting and tampering with the authorization URL created by `next-auth`. 1. The victim attempts to log in to the `next-auth` site. For example https://next-auth-example.vercel.app/ 2. `next-auth` sets the `checks` cookies according to how the OAuth provider is configured. In this case, `state` and `pkce` are set by default for the Google Provider. <img width="1971" alt="Screen Shot 2023-03-03 at 09 54 26" src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/31528554/222619750-a2062bb8-99eb-4985-a75c-d75acd3da67e.png"> 3. The attacker intercepts the returned authorization URL, strips away the OAuth check (nonce, state, pkce), and returns the URL _without_ the check to the victim's browser. For example: From ```https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/v2/auth/oauthchooseaccount?client_id=client_id&scope=openid%20email%20profile&response_type=code&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fnext-auth-example.vercel.app%2Fapi%2Fauth%2Fcallback%2Fgoogle&state=state&code_challenge=code_challenge&code_challenge_method=S256&service=lso&o2v=2&flowName=GeneralOAuthFlow``` to ```https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/v2/auth/oauthchooseaccount?client_id=client_id&scope=openid%20email%20profile&response_type=code&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fnext-auth-example.vercel.app%2Fapi%2Fauth%2Fcallback%2Fgoogle&service=lso&o2v=2&flowName=GeneralOAuthFlow```. Notice the parameters `state`, `code_challenge` and `code_verifier` are removed from the victim's address bar. 4. The victim attempts to log in using their OAuth account. 5. The Authorization Server logs the victim in and calls back to the `next-auth` `api/auth/callback/:providerId`endpoint. 5.1. The attacker intercepts and logs this callback URL for later use. 5.2. `next-auth` checks the callback call from OAuth Authorization Server (doesn't have checks) and compares the checks with the cookies set (has checks) at step 2. This check will fail, resulting in the victim isn't logged in. However, at this step, the Authorization Server has already accepted the victim's request to log in and generated/sent a `code` in the URL. 6. The attacker now has an authorization URL with the `code` that the AS will exchange for valid `access_token`/`id_token` and can log in as the victim automatically. They can open a new browser window and paste in the URL logged at step 5.1 and log in as the victim. ### Patches We patched the vulnerability in `next-auth` `v4.20.1` To upgrade, run one of the following: ``` npm i next-auth@latest ``` ``` yarn add next-auth@latest ``` ``` pnpm add next-auth@latest ``` ### Workarounds Upgrading to `latest` is the recommended way to fix this issue. However, using [Advanced Initialization](https://next-auth.js.org/configuration/initialization#advanced-initialization), developers can manually check the [callback request](https://next-auth.js.org/getting-started/rest-api#getpost-apiauthcallbackprovider) for `state`, `pkce`, and `nonce` against the provider configuration, and abort the sign-in process if there is a mismatch. Check out the [source code](https://github.com/nextauthjs/next-auth/blob/v4/packages/next-auth/src/core/lib/oauth/checks.ts) for help. ### References - [CSRF](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6749#section-10.12) - [PKCE vs nonce](https://danielfett.de/2020/05/16/pkce-vs-nonce-equivalent-or-not/) - [OAuth provider options](https://next-auth.js.org/configuration/providers/oauth) - [`checks` provider config](https://authjs.dev/reference/core/providers#checks)

CVE-2023-27490 Affected Next auth Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
4.20.1
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
next-auth
npm
< 4.20.1
4.20.1

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-27490?
CVE-2023-27490 is a security vulnerability in Next auth involving Missing proper state, nonce and PKCE checks for OAuth authentication under CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF).
Which Next auth versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 4.20.1 across affected packages: next-auth.
What version fixes CVE-2023-27490?
Upgrading to 4.20.1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is next-auth affected?
Yes, next-auth is affected in releases prior to 4.20.1. Upgrade your dependency to 4.20.1 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-27490?
CVE-2023-27490 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-27490?
CVE-2023-27490 is classified under CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) (The web application does not, or cannot, sufficiently verify whether a request was intentionally provided by the user who sent the request, which could have originated from an unauthorized actor.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2023-27490?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls next-auth'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-7r7x-4c4q-c4qf",
  "modified" : "2023-03-13T20:52:50Z",
  "published" : "2023-03-13T20:52:50Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-27490" ],
  "summary" : "Missing proper state, nonce and PKCE checks for OAuth authentication",
  "details" : "### Impact\n`next-auth` applications using OAuth provider versions before `v4.20.1` are affected.\n\nA bad actor who can spy on the victim's network or able to social engineer the victim to click a manipulated login link could intercept and tamper with the authorization URL to **log in as the victim**, bypassing the CSRF protection.\n\nAs an example, an attack can happen in the following scenario. \n\n> TL;DR: The attacker steals the victim's authenticated callback by intercepting and tampering with the authorization URL created by `next-auth`.\n\n1. The victim attempts to log in to the `next-auth` site. For example https://next-auth-example.vercel.app/\n2. `next-auth` sets the `checks` cookies according to how the OAuth provider is configured. In this case, `state` and `pkce` are set by default for the Google Provider.\n<img width=\"1971\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2023-03-03 at 09 54 26\" src=\"https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/31528554/222619750-a2062bb8-99eb-4985-a75c-d75acd3da67e.png\">\n\n3. The attacker intercepts the returned authorization URL, strips away the OAuth check (nonce, state, pkce), and returns the URL _without_ the check to the victim's browser. For example:\nFrom \n```https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/v2/auth/oauthchooseaccount?client_id=client_id&scope=openid%20email%20profile&response_type=code&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fnext-auth-example.vercel.app%2Fapi%2Fauth%2Fcallback%2Fgoogle&state=state&code_challenge=code_challenge&code_challenge_method=S256&service=lso&o2v=2&flowName=GeneralOAuthFlow```\nto\n```https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/v2/auth/oauthchooseaccount?client_id=client_id&scope=openid%20email%20profile&response_type=code&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fnext-auth-example.vercel.app%2Fapi%2Fauth%2Fcallback%2Fgoogle&service=lso&o2v=2&flowName=GeneralOAuthFlow```.\nNotice the parameters `state`, `code_challenge` and `code_verifier` are removed from the victim's address bar.\n\n4. The victim attempts to log in using their OAuth account.\n\n5. The Authorization Server logs the victim in and calls back to the `next-auth` `api/auth/callback/:providerId`endpoint. \n5.1. The attacker intercepts and logs this callback URL for later use.\n5.2. `next-auth` checks the callback call from OAuth Authorization Server (doesn't have checks) and compares the checks with the cookies set (has checks) at step 2. This check will fail, resulting in the victim isn't logged in. However, at this step, the Authorization Server has already accepted the victim's request to log in and generated/sent a `code` in the URL.\n6. The attacker now has an authorization URL with the `code` that the AS will exchange for valid `access_token`/`id_token` and can log in as the victim automatically. They can open a new browser window and paste in the URL logged at step 5.1 and log in as the victim.\n\n\n### Patches\nWe patched the vulnerability in `next-auth` `v4.20.1` \nTo upgrade, run one of the following:\n```\nnpm i next-auth@latest\n```\n```\nyarn add next-auth@latest\n```\n```\npnpm add next-auth@latest\n```\n\n### Workarounds\n\nUpgrading to `latest` is the recommended way to fix this issue. However, using [Advanced Initialization](https://next-auth.js.org/configuration/initialization#advanced-initialization), developers can manually check the [callback request](https://next-auth.js.org/getting-started/rest-api#getpost-apiauthcallbackprovider) for `state`, `pkce`, and `nonce` against the provider configuration, and abort the sign-in process if there is a mismatch. Check out the [source code](https://github.com/nextauthjs/next-auth/blob/v4/packages/next-auth/src/core/lib/oauth/checks.ts) for help.\n\n### References\n- [CSRF](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6749#section-10.12)\n- [PKCE vs nonce](https://danielfett.de/2020/05/16/pkce-vs-nonce-equivalent-or-not/)\n- [OAuth provider options](https://next-auth.js.org/configuration/providers/oauth)\n- [`checks` provider config](https://authjs.dev/reference/core/providers#checks)",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "next-auth"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "4.20.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/nextauthjs/next-auth/security/advisories/GHSA-7r7x-4c4q-c4qf"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-27490"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://authjs.dev/reference/core/providers#checks"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://danielfett.de/2020/05/16/pkce-vs-nonce-equivalent-or-not"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/nextauthjs/next-auth"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/nextauthjs/next-auth/compare/next-auth@4.20.0...next-auth@4.20.1#diff-cf9257195d0cb6a835ae4ff1fc73fe2cac0bab847efb0832c1f551209a972b47R55"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://next-auth.js.org/configuration/initialization#advanced-initialization"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://next-auth.js.org/configuration/providers/oauth"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230420-0006"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6749#section-10.12"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-352" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-03-13T20:52:50Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-03-09T21:15:00Z"
  }
}