AgentOps-AI / AgentOps-AI/agentops

[Bug]: Hardcoded fallback signing key for authentication session cookies

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Description

### Contact Details

_No response_

### 📦 Package Version

latest

### 🎞️ Framework Version

latest

### 🔎 Describe the Bug

# [Security] Hardcoded fallback signing key for authentication session cookies

## Summary

When `AUTH_COOKIE_SECRET` is unset, authentication uses the hardcoded `_DEV_AUTH_COOKIE_SECRET` fallback. This value signs session JWT cookies, allowing anyone who obtains the fallback to create tokens that pass signature verification.

## Affected Version

Affected version: commit `f8e907b92dabe47232978023fdcb01e2a7d4b752` on branch `main`.

## Technical Details and Root Cause

`AUTH_COOKIE_SECRET` is configured with a hardcoded fallback in [`environment.py#L7`](https://github.com/AgentOps-AI/agentops/blob/f8e907b92dabe47232978023fdcb01e2a7d4b752/app/api/agentops/auth/environment.py#L7). The fallback is used by the authentication flow, where the secret is passed to `jwt.encode` to sign a session cookie at [`views.py#L147`](https://github.com/AgentOps-AI/agentops/blob/f8e907b92dabe47232978023fdcb01e2a7d4b752/app/api/agentops/auth/views.py#L147), and the cookie is subsequently verified using the same authentication flow at [`views.py#L157`](https://github.com/AgentOps-AI/agentops/blob/f8e907b92dabe47232978023fdcb01e2a7d4b752/app/api/agentops/auth/views.py#L157).

The literal fallback value is not present in the referenced records. A server-side session cache is also involved in resolving the token’s `session_id` through [`session.py#L45-L62`](https://github.com/AgentOps-AI/agentops/blob/f8e907b92dabe47232978023fdcb01e2a7d4b752/app/api/agentops/auth/session.py#L45-L62) and [`middleware.py#L40-L49`](https://github.com/AgentOps-AI/agentops/blob/f8e907b92dabe47232978023fdcb01e2a7d4b752/app/api/agentops/auth/middleware.py#L40-L49), which may constrain the identity associated with a forged token.

## Impact

An attacker who obtains the committed fallback and can reach the session-cookie authentication flow may forge JWT session cookies that pass signature verification. The affected identity and authorization scope depend on the server-side session lookup and deployment configuration, and require maintainer confirmation.

## Reproduction Conditions

Use a deployment of the affected commit with `AUTH_COOKIE_SECRET` unset, so the code-defined fallback is selected. Trace the existing session-cookie issuance and verification flow to confirm that both signing and verification use the fallback-derived `AUTH_COOKIE_SECRET`.

## Recommended Fix

Remove the committed fallback and require a unique, high-entropy secret for every deployment, supplied through a server-side secret manager. Rotate any deployments that may have used the fallback. Keep authentication credentials limited to necessary claims, and ensure signing keys are never derived from passwords or other predictable values.

This observation was identified during our ongoing research on authentication token security. We would be happy to provide additional technical details or assistance with preparing a patch. Please feel free to contact us if any clarification is needed.

### 🤝 Contribution

- [x] Yes, I'd be happy to submit a pull request with these changes.
- [x] I need some guidance on how to contribute.
- [x] I'd prefer the AgentOps team to handle this update.

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