PyJWT: Uncaught RecursionError in jwt.decode() on deeply nested token header
jpadilla · pyjwt
Official source article: GitHub GHSA-8WJV-2P76-3863 ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.
5.3MediumCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix
Medium technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 211 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Published severityMedium→Operational priority:High, raised one band.upgradedsince 1 Oct 2026
Evidence used
No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
EPSS is 0.29% for the current model date.
Compensating controls
Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.
Verification
Confirm that the asset runs jpadilla pyjwt and falls inside the recorded affected range.
Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Cross-source reconciliation
Remediation availability differs by product scope
Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 211 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Red Hat Product Security: 209 affected or under-investigation product states without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
Debian Security Tracker: 2 affected package states with no published fix
Distribution package intelligence
Release-specific package status
Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
5 package states
Package result overrides the generic status
BlackTree has verified remediation for at least one product or source, but the relevant distribution still reports no fixed package for 2 affected package states shown here. Treat those rows as affected with no fix until that distribution publishes a fixed version.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
Distribution release
Source package
Vendor state
Fixed version
Evidence
Debian trixietrixie · source
pyjwt
Affected, no fix publishedDebian currently tracks this release as open.
These OSV and GitHub advisory ranges apply only to the named package and ecosystem. A listed fixed version is not a universal product patch or proof that an update is installed.
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
2 current
CVE-2026-102265 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitypyjwt: pyjwt: Denial of Service via deeply nested token headers
199 known affected
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
openshift-sandboxed-containers/osc-podvm-builder-rhel9 as a component of Confidential Compute Attestation
workload-availability/fence-agents-remediation-rhel9-operator as a component of Fence Agents Remediation Operator
lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core
lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core
lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core
mta/mta-solution-server-rhel9 as a component of Migration Toolkit for Applications 8
openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-agentic-sandbox-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed
openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-ocp-rag-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed
openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed
openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-to-dataverse-exporter-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed
rhaii/vllm-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat AI Inference Server
rhaii/vllm-cuda-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat AI Inference Server
Summary
A flaw was found in PyJWT. An unauthenticated remote attacker could trigger a Denial of Service (DoS) condition by supplying a specially crafted JSON Web Token (JWT) with deeply nested headers during decoding. Processing these nested structures causes an uncaught recursion error that bypasses standard error handling, leading to request-level failures and potential application crashes.
The vendor explicitly states that these products are not affected by this CVE.
python-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7
python3-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7
python311-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7
python-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 12
python3-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 12
python-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1
python3-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1
python-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2
python3-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2
python-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3
python3-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3
python-PyJWT as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-LTSS
Summary
PyJWT is a Python implementation of JSON Web Token standards. From 2.13.0 until 2.14.0, PyJWS._load in jwt/api_jws.py is affected because parser catches ValueError but not RecursionError. This occurs when a deeply nested token header reaches json.loads. As a result, RecursionError escapes the documented PyJWT error hierarchy. Consequently, an unauthenticated malformed token can cause a request-level failure and HTTP 500. This issue is fixed in version 2.14.0.
Remediation
No remediation text is recorded.
Optional official sources
National CERT insights ?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.
Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.
Official European source
ENISA European Vulnerability Database
Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.
1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier
EUVD-2026-88549
No EUVD known-exploited evidence
PyJWT is a Python implementation of JSON Web Token standards. From 2.13.0 until 2.14.0, PyJWS._load in jwt/api_jws.py is affected because parser catches ValueError but not RecursionError. This occurs when a deeply nested token header reaches json.loads. As a result, RecursionError escapes the documented PyJWT error hierarchy. Consequently, an unauthenticated malformed token can cause a request-level failure and HTTP 500. This issue is fixed in version 2.14.0.
EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
5.3 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionPatch only the product branches with a verified fix
Medium technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 211 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Fix availability varies by product
01
What, why and how
PyJWT is a Python implementation of JSON Web Token standards. From 2.13.0 until 2.14.0, PyJWS._load in jwt/api_jws.py is affected because parser catches ValueError but not RecursionError. This occurs when a deeply nested token header reaches json.loads. As a result, RecursionError escapes the documented PyJWT error hierarchy. Consequently, an unauthenticated malformed token can cause a request-level failure and HTTP 500. This issue is fixed in version 2.14.0.
What
PyJWT is a Python implementation of JSON Web Token standards. From 2.13.0 until 2.14.0, PyJWS._load in jwt/api_jws.py is affected because parser catches ValueError but not RecursionError. This occurs when a deeply nested token header reaches json.loads. As a result, RecursionError escapes the documented PyJWT error hierarchy. Consequently, an unauthenticated malformed token can cause a request-level failure and HTTP 500. This issue is fixed in version 2.14.0.
Why
The product does not properly control the amount of recursion that takes place, consuming excessive resources, such as allocated memory or the program stack.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
What
PyJWT is a Python implementation of JSON Web Token standards. From 2.13.0 until 2.14.0, PyJWS._load in jwt/api_jws.py is affected because parser catches ValueError but not RecursionError. This occurs when a deeply nested token header reaches json.loads. As a result, RecursionError escapes the documented PyJWT error hierarchy. Consequently, an unauthenticated malformed token can cause a request-level failure and HTTP 500. This issue is fixed in version 2.14.0.
Why
The product does not properly control the amount of recursion that takes place, consuming excessive resources, such as allocated memory or the program stack.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No confirmed evidence
No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.Reference recorded
CISA Vulnrichment records proof-of-concept exploitation in its SSVC data. BlackTree has not independently executed or validated exploit material.
Likely attack path
a network path → Uncontrolled Recursion → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness ?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-674: Uncontrolled Recursion. The product does not properly control the amount of recursion that takes place, consuming excessive resources, such as allocated memory or the program stack.
CVSS vector ?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CNoneConfidentiality impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.INoneIntegrity impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.ALowAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a limited loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
Stolen credentials, tokens and legitimate administration functions may provide continued access without deploying a large custom toolset.
Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-88549Official EUVD mapping
PyJWT is a Python implementation of JSON Web Token standards. From 2.13.0 until 2.14.0, PyJWS._load in jwt/api_jws.py is affected because parser catches ValueError but not RecursionError. This occurs when a deeply nested token header reaches json.loads. As a result, RecursionError escapes the documented PyJWT error hierarchy. Consequently, an unauthenticated malformed token can cause a request-level failure and HTTP 500. This issue is fixed in version 2.14.0.
Official EUVD record ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2026-AVI-1249Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits VMware
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
Status ?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 28 Sept 2026 · Last source change 1 Oct 2026, 15:01 UTC · CWE-674 · Uncontrolled Recursion
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source ?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-29
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-88549
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD awaiting enrichment
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
Before
After
openshift-sandboxed-containers/osc-podvm-builder-rhel9 as a component of Confidential Compute Attestation; workload-availability/fence-agents-remediation-rhel9-operator as a component of Fence Agents Remediation Operator; lightspeed-core/lightspeed-stack-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; lightspeed-core/rag-tool-cuda-12.9-rhel9 as a component of Lightspeed Core; mta/mta-solution-server-rhel9 as a component of Migration Toolkit for Applications 8; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-agentic-sandbox-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-ocp-rag-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-service-api-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; openshift-lightspeed/lightspeed-to-dataverse-exporter-rhel9 as a component of OpenShift Lightspeed; rhaii/vllm-cpu-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat AI Inference Server; rhaii/vllm-cuda-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat AI Inference Server; rhaii/vllm-rocm-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat AI Inference Server; rhaii/vllm-spyre-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat AI Inference Server; rhaiis/vllm-cuda-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat AI Inference Server; rhaiis/vllm-rocm-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat AI Inference Server; ansible-automation-platform-25/controller-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-25/eda-controller-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-25/ee-supported-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-25/ee-supported-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-25/gateway-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-25/hub-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-25/lightspeed-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/eda-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/ee-supported-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/gateway-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/hub-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/lightspeed-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; and 169 more
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.