Details
### Summary
In affected versions, the SDK's OAuth client let the MCP server decide which authorization server received the client's OAuth credentials. Credentials were not tied to the authorization server they belong to.
A malicious or compromised MCP server could name its own authorization server. With no user interaction, the client would send it:
- the `refresh_token` and `client_secret` stored from an earlier sign-in
- the `client_secret` or signed assertion configured on a bundled provider
### Am I affected?
Yes, if both of these hold:
- your application uses the SDK's OAuth client over HTTP, through any of:
- an `authProvider` on a transport
- the `withOAuth()` middleware
- direct calls to `auth()` or `fetchToken()`
- it may connect to an MCP server you do not fully trust while holding credentials for a legitimate authorization server
Affected versions:
- `@modelcontextprotocol/sdk` 1.12.0 through 1.30.1
- `@modelcontextprotocol/client` 2.0.0 through 2.1.0, only for:
- bundled providers without `expectedIssuer`
- credentials stored or supplied without `issuer`
- direct calls to `fetchToken()`
- providers that read storage back through `OAuthTokensSchema` or `OAuthClientInformationSchema`
Not affected:
- MCP servers built with the SDK
- stdio clients
### Fix
Upgrade to:
- 1.x: `@modelcontextprotocol/sdk` 1.31.0 or later
- 2.x: `@modelcontextprotocol/client` 2.2.0 or later, and `@modelcontextprotocol/core` 2.2.0 or later if you import it directly
The client now records the authorization server as `issuer` on saved credentials and does not send them to a different one. The user signs in again, or the call throws.
In the following cases, upgrading to the patched version is not enough. You also need to make a change:
- **Bundled providers** (`ClientCredentialsProvider`, `PrivateKeyJwtProvider`, `StaticPrivateKeyJwtProvider`, `CrossAppAccessProvider`): pass `expectedIssuer`, for example `expectedIssuer: 'https://auth.example.com'`. Without it they still use whichever authorization server the MCP server names.
- **Credentials saved without `issuer`:** tokens and client information your `OAuthClientProvider` persisted (file, keychain, database) before upgrading, including everything 1.x saved before 1.31.0. They still go to whichever authorization server is named at first use. Add `issuer` to them, or clear them so users sign in again.
- **Your own `OAuthClientProvider`:** save exactly what `saveTokens()` and `saveClientInformation()` are given, including `issuer`. For pre-registered credentials, include `issuer` in what `clientInformation()` returns.
Not covered by this fix:
- a new interactive sign-in, which still goes to the authorization server the MCP server names. Only complete sign-ins for servers you trust.
- `refreshAuthorization()` and `exchangeAuthorization()` called directly
- 2.x with `skipIssuerMetadataValidation: true`
If an affected client may have connected to an untrusted MCP server, rotate its client secret or signing key and revoke its tokens.
If you cannot upgrade yet, connect OAuth clients only to MCP servers you trust. 2.0.0 and 2.1.0 already accept `expectedIssuer`.
