github.com/nats-io/nats-server Import token permissions checking not enforcedGHSA-j756-f273-xhp4
HIGHFix: nats-io/nats-server@423b794GHSA-j756-f273-xhp4 is a high-severity (CVSS 7.5) CWE-755 vulnerability in github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2. 1 public exploit reference exists, so weaponization risk is real. A fix is available for github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 — see the affected versions and patch details below.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
GHSA-j756-f273-xhp4 by exploitation likelihood (EPSS) against impact (CVSS). Outside the shaded patch-first corner.
Where this sits among everything scored
Of 385,386 CVEs with a current EPSS score, this one falls in the < 10% band (highlighted). Counts from FIRST.org, log-scaled.
Real-World Exposure
github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2Real-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Go packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
(This advisory is canonically https://advisories.nats.io/CVE/CVE-2021-3127.txt)
Problem Description
The NATS server provides for Subjects which are namespaced by Account; all Subjects are supposed to be private to an account, with an Export/Import system used to grant cross-account access to some Subjects. Some Exports are public, such that anyone can import the relevant subjects, and some Exports are private, such that the Import requires a token JWT to prove permission.
The JWT library's validation of the bindings in the Import Token incorrectly warned on mismatches, instead of outright rejecting the token.
As a result, any account can take an Import token used by any other account and re-use it for themselves because the binding to the importing account is not rejected, and use it to import any Subject from the Exporting account, not just the Subject referenced in the Import Token.
The NATS account-server system treats account JWTs as semi-public information, such that an attacker can easily enumerate all account JWTs and retrieve all Import Tokens from those account JWTs.
The CVE identifier should cover the JWT library repair and the nats-server containing the fixed JWT library, and any other application depending upon the fixed JWT library.
Affected versions
JWT library
- all versions prior to 2.0.1
- fixed after nats-io/jwt#149 landed (2021-03-14)
NATS Server
- Version 2 prior to 2.2.0
- 2.0.0 through and including 2.1.9 are vulnerable
- fixed with nats-io/nats-server@423b79440c (2021-03-14)
Impact
In deployments with untrusted accounts able to update the Account Server with imports, a malicious account can access any Subject from an account which provides Exported Subjects.
Abuse of this facility requires the malicious actor to upload their tampered Account JWT to the Account Server, providing the service operator with a data-store which can be scanned for signs of abuse.
Workaround
Deny access to clients to update their account JWT in the account server.
Solution
Upgrade the JWT dependency in any application using it.
Upgrade the NATS server if using NATS Accounts (with private Exports; Account owners can create those at any time though).
Audit all accounts JWTs to scan for exploit attempts; a Python script to audit the accounts can be found at https://gist.github.com/philpennock/09d49524ad98043ff11d8a40c2bb0d5a.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐹Go | github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 | all versions | 2.2.0go get github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2@v2.2.0 |
Affected Products
nats-serverlinuxfoundationjwt librarynatsResearch use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 to 2.2.0 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-j756-f273-xhp4 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-j756-f273-xhp4 in your dependencies?
Find it across Go, including transitive dependencies.