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PYSEC-2026-4167
social-auth-coreImpact
The SAML backend accepted SAML responses on the Assertion Consumer Service endpoint without verifying that they matched a previously issued AuthnRequest.
Applications using SAML account association could allow an attacker with a valid account on a trusted IdP to link the attacker's SAML identity to a logged-in victim's local account. The attacker could then authenticate through SAML and gain access to the victim's account.
The issue affects applications using the SAML backend together with authenticated account association.
Patches
The issue has been fixed by validating SAML responses against stored AuthnRequest IDs.
Users should upgrade to a patched version.
Fix:
- https://github.com/python-social-auth/social-core/pull/1794
Workarounds
Applications that cannot upgrade immediately should disable SAML account association for already authenticated users.
If SAML login is not required, the SAML backend can also be disabled by removing it from SOCIAL_AUTH_AUTHENTICATION_BACKENDS.
There is no complete workaround while continuing to allow vulnerable SAML account association.
Credits
Reported through GitHub private vulnerability reporting by Liyi Zhou, Ziyue Wang, Strick, Maurice, and Chenchen Yu from the University of Sydney security research team.
Reporter references:
- https://lzhou1110.github.io/
- https://zyy0530.github.io/
- https://str1ckl4nd.github.io/
- https://maurice.busystar.org/
- https://7thparkk.github.io/
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The vulnerability can be exploited over the network without needing physical access. It is difficult for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability and may require special conditions. An attacker needs basic access or low-level privileges. The attacker needs the user to perform some action, like clicking a link. The impact is confined to the system where the vulnerability exists. There is a high impact on the confidentiality of the information. There is a high impact on the integrity of the data.
Exploitation attempts have been detected. Elevated vigilance and prompt remediation are advised.
The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.
We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.
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