CodeIgniter Shield Vulnerable to SameSite Attackers Bypassing the CSRF Protection
Impact
This vulnerability may allow SameSite Attackers to bypass the CodeIgniter4 CSRF protection mechanism with CodeIgniter Shield.
For this attack to succeed, the attacker must have direct (or indirect, e.g., XSS) control over a subdomain site (e.g., https://a.example.com/) of the target site (e.g., http://example.com/).
This vulnerability exists whether Config\Security::$csrfProtection is 'cookie' or 'session'.
It is also exploitable whether Config\Security::$regenerate is true or false.
Patches
Upgrade to CodeIgniter v4.2.3 or later and Shield v1.0.0-beta.2 or later.
Workarounds
Do all of the following:
- set
Config\Security::$csrfProtectionto'session' - remove old session data right after login (immediately after ID and password match)
- regenerate CSRF token right after login (immediately after ID and password match)
References
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue or discussion in codeigniter4/shield
- Email us at security@codeigniter.com
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer package | codeigniter4/shield | >= 1.0.0-beta, < 1.0.0-beta.2 | 1.0.0-beta.2 |
References
- https://github.com/codeigniter4/shield/security/advisories/GHSA-5hm8-vh6r-2cjq
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-35943
- https://github.com/codeigniter4/shield/commit/342a368536678621998c3c41d276480cd14ec6c6
- https://codeigniter4.github.io/userguide/libraries/security.htm
- https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Set-Cookie/SameSite
- https://github.com/codeigniter4/shield
- https://jub0bs.com/posts/2021-01-29-great-samesite-confusion
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-352- Platform
- Composer
- Package
codeigniter4/shield- Disclosed
- 18.08.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-5hm8-vh6r-2cjq - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: codeigniter4/shield
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Composer package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 4
- First → latest
- 08.2022 11.2023
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Medium 4
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 3
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
-
CodeIgniter Shield Vulnerable to SameSite Attackers Bypassing the CSRF Protection this entry
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.