strawberry-graphql: Authentication bypass via legacy graphql-ws WebSocket subprotocol
GHSA-vpwc-v33q-mq89 · CVE-2026-35523 · PYSEC-2026-133
Published · Modified
Description
Strawberry up until version 0.312.3 is vulnerable to an authentication bypass on WebSocket subscription endpoints. The legacy graphql-ws subprotocol handler does not verify that a connection_init handshake has been completed before processing start (subscription) messages. This allows a remote attacker to skip the on_ws_connect authentication hook entirely by connecting with the graphql-ws subprotocol and sending a start message directly, without ever sending connection_init.
The graphql-transport-ws subprotocol handler is not affected, as it correctly gates subscription operations on a connection_acknowledged flag. However, both subprotocols are enabled by default in all framework integrations that support websockets, and the subprotocol is selected by the client via the Sec-WebSocket-Protocol header.
Any application relying on on_ws_connect for authentication or authorization is affected.
Mitigation: Upgrade to the patched version, or explicitly disable the legacy graphql-ws subprotocol by setting subscription_protocols=[GRAPHQL_TRANSPORT_WS_PROTOCOL] on your GraphQL view/router.
References
- WEB https://github.com/strawberry-graphql/strawberry/security/advisories/GHSA-vpwc-v33q-mq89
- ADVISORY https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-35523
- WEB https://github.com/strawberry-graphql/strawberry/commit/0977a4e6b41b7cfe3e9d8ba84a43458a2b0c54c2
- WEB https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/strawberry-graphql/PYSEC-2026-133.yaml
- PACKAGE https://github.com/strawberry-graphql/strawberry
- WEB https://github.com/strawberry-graphql/strawberry/releases/tag/0.312.3
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