Authentik
CVE-2023-46249
CRITICAL
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Authentication mechanism validation
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Defense Evasion, Initial Access The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A remote attacker could bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. |
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Alert meAnalysisAI
authentik is an open-source Identity Provider. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Improper Authentication vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Implement multi-factor authentication, enforce strong password policies, use proven authentication frameworks.
Affects your stack
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Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
This vulnerability is classified as Improper Authentication (CWE-287), which allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access. authentik is an open-source Identity Provider. Prior to versions 2023.8.4 and 2023.10.2, when the default admin user has been deleted, it is potentially possible for an attacker to set the password of the default admin user without any authentication. authentik uses a blueprint to create the default admin user, which can also optionally set the default admin users' password from an environment variable. When the user is deleted, the initial-setup flow used to configure authentik after the first installation becomes available again. authentik 2023.8.4 and 2023.10.2 fix this issue. As a workaround, ensure the default admin user (Username akadmin) exists and has a password set. It is recommended to use a very strong password for this user, and store it in a secure location like a password manager. It is also possible to deactivate the user to prevent any logins as akadmin. Affected products include: Goauthentik Authentik.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionNVD
authentik is an open-source Identity Provider. Prior to versions 2023.8.4 and 2023.10.2, when the default admin user has been deleted, it is potentially possible for an attacker to set the password of the default admin user without any authentication. authentik uses a blueprint to create the default admin user, which can also optionally set the default admin users' password from an environment variable. When the user is deleted, the initial-setup flow used to configure authentik after the first installation becomes available again. authentik 2023.8.4 and 2023.10.2 fix this issue. As a workaround, ensure the default admin user (Username akadmin) exists and has a password set. It is recommended to use a very strong password for this user, and store it in a secure location like a password manager. It is also possible to deactivate the user to prevent any logins as akadmin.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
GitHub
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
Affected Products (CPE)NVD
authentik is an open-source identity provider. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploi
authentik is an open-source Identity Provider focused on flexibility and versatility. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), th
authentik is an open-source Identity provider focused on flexibility and versatility. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4),
Authentication bypass in authentik identity provider (versions prior to 2025.12.6, 2026.2.4, and 2026.5.1) allows remote
authentik is an open-source Identity Provider. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploi
authentik is an open-source identity provider. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploi
authentik is an open-source identity provider. After authorizing access to a RAC endpoint, authentik creates a token whi
Account takeover in authentik (goauthentik) identity provider before 2026.2.6 and 2026.5.5 allows an attacker holding an
Cross-site scripting in authentik identity provider versions prior to 2025.12.5 and 2026.2.3 allows remote attackers to
Code injection in authentik identity provider from 2021.3.1 through multiple versions. Users with delegated permissions
authentik is an open-source identity provider. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploi
Multi-factor authentication bypass in authentik (goauthentik) allows an attacker who already knows a target user's passw
Exploit-DB