CVE-2023-22893 in Strapi
Summary
by MITRE • 04/19/2023
Strapi through 4.5.5 does not verify the access or ID tokens issued during the OAuth flow when the AWS Cognito login provider is used for authentication. A remote attacker could forge an ID token that is signed using the 'None' type algorithm to bypass authentication and impersonate any user that use AWS Cognito for authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22893 affects Strapi versions through 4.5.5 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw when utilizing AWS Cognito as an OAuth login provider. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate the cryptographic integrity of access and ID tokens issued during the OAuth authentication flow. The root cause lies in the application's trust of tokens without verifying their signature algorithms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the authentication mechanism through token forgery attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when Strapi processes OAuth tokens from AWS Cognito without implementing proper token validation procedures. Specifically, the application does not verify that the token's signature algorithm is properly configured, allowing attackers to submit forged ID tokens that employ the 'None' algorithm type. This algorithm type indicates that the token is not signed, effectively bypassing the cryptographic verification process that should confirm the token's authenticity and origin. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-347, which addresses the lack of proper validation of cryptographic signatures, and represents a significant weakness in the authentication framework's token handling capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to completely bypass authentication mechanisms and impersonate any user within the system who utilizes AWS Cognito for authentication. An attacker can craft a forged ID token with the 'None' algorithm type and present it to the Strapi application, gaining unauthorized access with the privileges of the targeted user. This authentication bypass allows for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the affected environment. The vulnerability affects all users who rely on AWS Cognito as their OAuth provider, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant or enterprise environments where Strapi serves as a content management platform.
The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as this vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the ATT&CK framework. Attackers can use this initial compromise to establish persistence, escalate privileges, and move laterally through the network using the compromised user credentials. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor implementation of the OAuth 2.0 security model, where proper token validation and signature verification should be mandatory. Organizations using Strapi with AWS Cognito authentication are particularly at risk, as this flaw undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the authentication flow. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Strapi version 4.5.6 or later, which includes proper token validation mechanisms, or implementing additional security controls such as custom middleware to validate token signatures and enforce proper cryptographic verification before accepting authentication tokens.