# GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v: Laravel Encrypter Failure to decryption vulnerability

> Attackers can manipulate encrypted payloads to cause decryption failures, potentially bypassing security checks relying on weak type comparisons in Laravel applications.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not stated
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 15 May 2024

## What is GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v?

GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v is a vulnerability in illuminate/encryption, published on 15 May 2024. It can be exploited over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A potential exploit of the Laravel Encrypter component that may cause the Encrypter to fail on decryption and unexpectedly return false.

To exploit this, the attacker must be able to modify the encrypted payload before it is decrypted. Depending on the code within your application, this could lead to unexpected behavior when combined with weak type comparisons, for example:

```php
<?php

$decyptedValue = decrypt($secret);

if ($decryptedValue == '') {
    // Code is run even though decrypted value is false...
}
```

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including illuminate/encryption.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `illuminate/encryption` | Packagist | From 5.5.0 | 5.5.40 |
| `illuminate/encryption` | Packagist | From 5.5.0 | 5.5.40 |
| `illuminate/encryption` | Packagist | From 5.6.0 | 5.6.15 |
| `illuminate/encryption` | Packagist | From 5.6.0 | 5.6.15 |

## How do I fix GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v?

Upgrade illuminate/encryption to a fixed version for your release line: 5.5.40 or 5.6.15.

## Is GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v is a vulnerability in illuminate/encryption, published on 15 May 2024. It can be exploited over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- illuminate/encryption (Packagist): affected from 5.5.0; fixed in 5.5.40
- illuminate/encryption (Packagist): affected from 5.5.0; fixed in 5.5.40
- illuminate/encryption (Packagist): affected from 5.6.0; fixed in 5.6.15
- illuminate/encryption (Packagist): affected from 5.6.0; fixed in 5.6.15

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-6wjw-qf87-fv5v/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.