@node-saml/node-saml's validatePostRequestAsync does not include checkTimestampsValidityError
Summary
The lack of checking of current timestamp allows a LogoutRequest XML to be reused multiple times even when the current time is past the NotOnOrAfter.
Details
It was noticed that in the validatePostRequestAsync() flow in saml.js, the current timestamp is never checked. This could present a vulnerability where a user who has an XML LogoutRequest could validated it if the IssueInstance and the NotOnOrAfter are valid along with valid credentials (signature, certificate etc.).
PoC
I was able to validate a sample valid LogoutRequest XML multiple times through postman by sending it to my endpoint regardless if the current present time was past the NotOnOrAfter time. After some further testing, it seems that only the IssueInstance is checked against NotOnOrAfter. Not sure if this was the intended behaviour but I believe having a never expiring valid LogoutRequest could be dangerous.
Impact
This could impact the user where they would be logged out from an expired LogoutRequest. In bigger contexts, if LogoutRequests are sent out in mass to different SPs, this could impact many users on a large scale.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | @node-saml/node-saml | < 4.0.5 | 4.0.5 |
References
- https://github.com/node-saml/node-saml/security/advisories/GHSA-vx8m-6fhw-pccw
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-40178
- https://github.com/node-saml/node-saml/commit/045e3b9c54211fdb95f96edf363679845b195cec
- https://github.com/node-saml/node-saml
- https://github.com/node-saml/node-saml/releases/tag/v4.0.5
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-347, CWE-613- Platform
- npm
- Package
@node-saml/node-saml- Disclosed
- 21.08.2023
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-vx8m-6fhw-pccw - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: @node-saml/node-saml
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 4
- First → latest
- 10.2022 07.2025
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 1
- Medium 1
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 2
- 2026: 0
-
@node-saml/node-saml's validatePostRequestAsync does not include checkTimestampsValidityError 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.