CVE-2026-123797 in Supertokens
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2026
SuperTokens Core is an open source authentication server. Prior to 11.3.6, 11.4.6, and 12.0.8, app-specific management requests using an unknown tenant path and an older supported cdi-version can bypass API-key and public-tenant enforcement. In src/main/java/io/supertokens/webserver/WebserverAPI.java, checkIPAccess and assertThatAPIKeyCheckPasses suppress TenantOrAppNotFoundException, while the later app-specific handler resolves app/public storage and the public-tenant guard applies only to CDI versions 5.0 and later. An unauthenticated caller able to reach the Core endpoint can therefore use PUT /ghosttenant/recipe/role and GET /ghosttenant/recipe/roles to create and enumerate application roles without a valid API key. This issue is fixed in versions 11.3.6, 11.4.6, and 12.0.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2026
SuperTokens Core serves as an open-source authentication server designed to manage user identities and access control for web applications. A critical security flaw was identified within the core logic handling tenant-specific management requests prior to versions 11.3.6, 11.4.6, and 12.0.8. The vulnerability stems from a misconfiguration in how the application distinguishes between public tenants and specific application contexts when processing API calls that utilize an unknown or non-existent tenant path combined with an older supported CDI version. This architectural oversight allows unauthenticated actors to bypass essential security controls intended to restrict access based on valid API keys and proper tenant identification.
The technical root cause lies in the implementation of the WebserverAPI class, specifically within methods responsible for IP access checks and API key validation such as checkIPAccess and assertThatAPIKeyCheckPasses. These functions are designed to enforce strict authentication policies before allowing requests to proceed further into the application logic. However, when these checks encounter a TenantOrAppNotFoundException during their execution, they suppress this exception rather than halting the request or returning an appropriate error code. By swallowing this critical failure signal, the system fails to reject the malformed request early in the pipeline. Consequently, the request proceeds to subsequent handlers that resolve storage and tenant contexts based on different logic paths not bound by the same strict enforcement mechanisms applied during initial authentication checks.
Furthermore, the vulnerability is exacerbated by version-specific behavior regarding public-tenant guards. The security guard intended to enforce restrictions for public tenants only applies correctly when using CDI versions 5.0 and later. For older supported CDI versions, this protective layer is effectively absent or bypassed due to the aforementioned exception suppression. This creates a window where an attacker can exploit the discrepancy between authentication checks and tenant resolution logic. The lack of consistent validation across different code paths allows malicious actors to manipulate internal state without proper authorization credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables unauthenticated remote attackers to perform administrative actions that should be strictly prohibited. Specifically, by targeting endpoints such as PUT /ghosttenant/recipe/role and GET /ghosttenant/recipe/roles, an attacker can create new application roles or enumerate existing ones without possessing a valid API key. This capability compromises the integrity of the authentication system by allowing unauthorized role creation, which could lead to privilege escalation within managed applications. It also facilitates reconnaissance activities where attackers can map out the internal structure and permissions of tenant configurations, potentially identifying high-privilege accounts or sensitive configuration details for further exploitation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 Improper Authentication as it involves a failure in verifying identity before granting access to protected resources. Additionally, it relates to CWE-940 Improper Verification of Authorization by Function Group since the authorization check is bypassed due to inconsistent enforcement across different functional areas of the codebase. From an ATT&CK perspective, this flaw facilitates Initial Access and Privilege Escalation techniques, allowing adversaries to establish footholds or elevate permissions within the authentication infrastructure without detection through standard credential validation processes.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately upgrade SuperTokens Core to version 11.3.6, 11.4.6, or 12.0.8, where these logic errors have been corrected. The fix ensures that exceptions related to tenant resolution are properly handled and do not lead to unauthorized access paths. In addition to upgrading, administrators should audit their deployment configurations to ensure they are using supported CDI versions and verify that no legacy systems remain connected to the authentication server without adequate network-level restrictions or additional API key enforcement layers. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on exception handling in critical path functions can help prevent similar architectural flaws in future development cycles.