modelcontextprotocol / modelcontextprotocol/php-sdk

[Client][Auth] SEP-2468: Validate iss parameter in authorization response (RFC 9207)

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2026-07-28 auth Client enhancement improves spec compliance
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PHP
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Description

Implements SEP-2468 for the MCP Spec 2026-07-28 release.

Tracked by umbrella #338.

Spec summary

Requires MCP authorization responses to include an explicit iss (issuer) parameter per RFC 9207. Clients MUST validate iss against the AS that initiated the flow to mitigate authorization mix-up attacks in multi-IdP environments.

PHP SDK changes

  • When handling the authorization-code redirect, the client must validate the returned iss matches the AS that produced the authorization_endpoint URL.
  • Required for any multi-AS scenario; cross-cuts with #319 (Auth Code + PKCE) but filed separately because the validation logic crosses callback + AS-metadata state.
  • Server-side: N/A — MCP servers are resource servers, not authorization servers; iss is emitted by the AS.

Related

  • Umbrella #338
  • Sub-task / depends on: #319 (Auth Code + PKCE foundation)

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with the client’s authorization-code redirect handling and the AS-metadata state that produced the authorization_endpoint URL. Review the Auth Code + PKCE foundation in #319 and the requirements in RFC 9207; done means validating the returned iss against the initiating authorization server, including multi-AS flows.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
php
Domain
authentication, security
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
52/100

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