Authentication Bypass
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
How It Works
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications. Instead of cracking passwords through brute force, attackers manipulate the authentication process itself to gain unauthorized entry. This typically occurs through one of several pathways: exploiting hardcoded credentials embedded in source code or configuration files, manipulating parameters in authentication requests to skip verification steps, or leveraging broken session management that fails to properly validate user identity.
The attack flow often begins with reconnaissance to identify authentication endpoints and their underlying logic. Attackers may probe for default administrative credentials that were never changed, test whether certain URL paths bypass login requirements entirely, or intercept and modify authentication tokens to escalate privileges. In multi-step authentication processes, flaws in state management can allow attackers to complete only partial verification steps while still gaining full access.
More sophisticated variants exploit single sign-on (SSO) or OAuth implementations where misconfigurations in trust relationships allow attackers to forge authentication assertions. Parameter tampering—such as changing a "role=user" field to "role=admin" in a request—can trick poorly designed systems into granting elevated access without proper verification.
Impact
- Complete account takeover — attackers gain full control of user accounts, including administrative accounts, without knowing legitimate credentials
- Unauthorized data access — ability to view, modify, or exfiltrate sensitive information including customer data, financial records, and intellectual property
- System-wide compromise — admin-level access enables installation of backdoors, modification of security controls, and complete infrastructure takeover
- Lateral movement — bypassed authentication provides a foothold for moving deeper into networks and accessing additional systems
- Compliance violations — unauthorized access triggers breach notification requirements and regulatory penalties
Real-World Examples
CrushFTP suffered a critical authentication bypass allowing attackers to access file-sharing functionality without any credentials. The vulnerability enabled direct server-side template injection, leading to remote code execution on affected systems. Attackers actively exploited this in the wild to establish persistent access to enterprise file servers.
Palo Alto's Expedition migration tool contained a flaw permitting attackers to reset administrative credentials without authentication. This allowed complete takeover of the migration environment, potentially exposing network configurations and security policies being transferred between systems.
SolarWinds Web Help Desk (CVE-2024-28987) shipped with hardcoded internal credentials that could not be changed through normal administrative functions. Attackers discovering these credentials gained full administrative access to helpdesk systems containing sensitive organizational information and user data.
Mitigation
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) — requires attackers to compromise additional verification factors beyond bypassed primary authentication
- Eliminate hardcoded credentials — use secure credential management systems and rotate all default credentials during deployment
- Enforce authentication on all endpoints — verify every request requires valid authentication; no "hidden" administrative paths should exist
- Implement proper session management — use cryptographically secure session tokens, validate on server-side, enforce timeout policies
- Apply principle of least privilege — limit damage by ensuring even authenticated users only access necessary resources
- Regular security testing — conduct penetration testing specifically targeting authentication logic and flows
Recent CVEs (32724)
An improper access control vulnerability [CWE-284] in FortiOS version 7.2.0, version 7.0.13 and below, version 6.4.14 and below and FortiProxy version 7.2.3 and below, version 7.0.9 and below,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A double free in Fortinet FortiOS versions 7.0.0 through 7.0.5, FortiPAM version 1.0.0 through 1.0.3, 1.1.0 through 1.1.1 allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via specifically. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper authorization vulnerability [CWE-285] in Fortinet FortiADC version 7.4.0 and before 7.2.2 may allow a low privileged user to read or backup the full system configuration via HTTP or HTTPS. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A use of externally-controlled format string in Fortinet FortiProxy versions 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, 7.0.0 through 7.0.10, FortiOS versions 7.4.0, 7.2.0 through 7.2.4, 7.0.0 through 7.0.11, 6.4.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Authentication vulnerability in Nadatel DVR allows Information Elicitation.0.0 before 9.9.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Relyum RELY-PCIe 22.2.1 devices suffer from a system group misconfiguration, allowing read access to the central password hash file of the operating system. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue discovered in Relyum RELY-PCIe 22.2.1 and RELY-REC 23.1.0 allows for unauthorized password changes due to no check for current password. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue discovered in Relyum RELY-PCIe 22.2.1 devices. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Umbraco is an ASP.NET content management system (CMS). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows DPAPI (Data Protection Application Programming Interface) Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. This Improper Authentication vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
Windows DNS Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Umbraco is an ASP.NET content management system (CMS). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Client side permission bypass in Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager 2023.3.4.0 and earlier on iOS allows an attacker that has access to the application to execute entries in a SQL data source without. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Mattermost fails to validate team membership when a user attempts to access a playbook, allowing a user with permissions to a playbook but no permissions to the team the playbook is on to access and. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Mattermost fails to check whether a user is a guest when updating the tasks of a private playbook run allowing a guest to update the tasks of a private playbook run if they know the run ID. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Archer Platform 6.x before 6.14 P1 HF2 (6.14.0.1.2) contains an insecure direct object reference vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in EnterpriseDB Postgres Advanced Server (EPAS) before 11.21.32, 12.x before 12.16.20, 13.x before 13.12.16, 14.x before 14.9.0, and 15.x before 15.4.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Due to lack of proper authorization checks in Emarsys SDK for Android, an attacker can call a particular activity and can forward himself web pages and/or deep links without any validation directly. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hidden and hard-coded credentials in ProLion CryptoSpike 3.0.15P2 allow remote attackers to login to web management as super-admin and consume the most privileged REST API endpoints via these. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Missing authentication in the internal data streaming system in ProLion CryptoSpike 3.0.15P2 allows remote unauthenticated users to read potentially sensitive information and deny service to users by. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A hard-coded cryptographic private key used to sign JWT authentication tokens in ProLion CryptoSpike 3.0.15P2 allows remote attackers to impersonate arbitrary users and roles in web management and. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Incorrect user role checking in multiple REST API endpoints in ProLion CryptoSpike 3.0.15P2 allows a remote attacker with low privileges to execute privileged functions and achieve privilege. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Uptime Kuma is an easy-to-use self-hosted monitoring tool. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
When using the default implementation of Verify to check a Captcha, verification can be bypassed. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
SMU versions prior to 14.8.7825.01 are susceptible to unintended information disclosure, through URL manipulation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Permission checks resulting in unauthorized access and Manipulation in KeyChainActivity Application. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The caddy-geo-ip (aka GeoIP) middleware through 0.6.0 for Caddy 2, when trust_header X-Forwarded-For is used, allows attackers to spoof their source IP address via an X-Forwarded-For header, which. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Zammad before 6.2.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Goodix Fingerprint Device, as shipped in Dell Inspiron 15 computers, does not follow the Secure Device Connection Protocol (SDCP) when enrolling via Linux, and accepts an unauthenticated. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In Bitcoin Core through 26.0 and Bitcoin Knots before 25.1.knots20231115, datacarrier size limits can be bypassed by obfuscating data as code (e.g., with OP_FALSE OP_IF), as exploited in the wild by. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in Quarkus. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
In ppcfw_enable of ppcfw.c, there is a possible EoP due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Bluetooth HID Hosts in BlueZ may permit an unauthenticated Peripheral role HID Device to initiate and establish an encrypted connection, and accept HID keyboard reports, potentially permitting. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Improper Authentication vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
Dell PowerEdge BIOS contains an improper privilege management security vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An authentication bypass in Zultys MX-SE, MX-SE II, MX-E, MX-Virtual, MX250, and MX30 with firmware versions prior to 17.0.10 patch 17161 and 16.04 patch 16109 allows an unauthenticated attacker to. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Software AG WebMethods 10.11.x/10.15.x. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NETSCOUT nGeniusPULSE 3.8 has a Hardcoded Cryptographic Key. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The configuration functionality in the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) baseboard management controller (BMC) implementation on Supermicro X11 and M11 based devices, with firmware. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The affected devices use publicly available default credentials with administrative privileges. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In SENEC Storage Box V1,V2 and V3 an unauthenticated remote attacker can obtain the devices' logfiles that contain sensitive data. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue in PARK DANDAN mini-app on Line v13.6.1 allows attackers to send crafted malicious notifications via leakage of the channel access token. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The System Dashboard plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the sd_db_specs() function hooked via an AJAX action in all versions up to,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
The System Dashboard plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the sd_option_value() function hooked via an AJAX action in all versions up. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
The System Dashboard plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the sd_global_value() function hooked via an AJAX action in all versions up. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
The System Dashboard plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the sd_php_info() function hooked via an AJAX action in all versions up to,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
The System Dashboard plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the sd_constants() function hooked via an AJAX action in all versions up. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
In the module "Orders (CSV, Excel) Export PRO" (ordersexport) < 5.2.0 from MyPrestaModules for PrestaShop, a guest can download personal information without restriction. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The login REST API in ProLion CryptoSpike 3.0.15P2 (when LDAP or Active Directory is used as the users store) allows a remote blocked user to login and obtain an authentication token by specifying a. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK A3002RU version 2.0.0-B20190902.1958 has a post-authentication RCE due to incorrect access control, allows attackers to bypass front-end security restrictions and execute arbitrary code. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Bluetooth module of some Huawei Smart Screen products has an identity authentication bypass vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of unauthorized file access in the Settings app. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unauthorized access vulnerability in the card management module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unauthorized access vulnerability in the Huawei Share module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of unauthorized access to email attachments in the email module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unauthorized access vulnerability in the launcher module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unauthorized access vulnerability in the card management module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Pleasanter 1.3.47.0 and earlier contains an improper access control vulnerability, which may allow a remote authenticated attacker to view the temporary files uploaded by other users who are not. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of missing permission verification for APIs in the Designed for Reliability (DFR) module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in the 9p passthrough filesystem (9pfs) implementation in QEMU. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Inappropriate implementation in Autofill in Google Chrome prior to 120.0.6099.62 allowed a remote attacker to bypass Autofill restrictions via a crafted HTML page. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper authentication in the SMA100 SSL-VPN virtual office portal allows a remote authenticated attacker to create an identical external domain user using accent characters, resulting in an MFA. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An argument injection vulnerability has been identified in the administrative web interface of the Atos Unify OpenScape products "Session Border Controller" (SBC) and "Branch", before version V10. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Vonage Box Telephone Adapter VDV23 version VDV21-3.2.11-0.5.1, allows local attackers to bypass UART authentication controls and read/write arbitrary values to the memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Improper Authentication vulnerability in Samsung Pass prior to version 4.3.00.17 allows physical attackers to bypass authentication due to invalid exception handler. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Authentication vulnerability in Samsung Pass prior to version 4.3.00.17 allows physical attackers to bypass authentication due to invalid flag setting. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper authorization verification vulnerability in AR Emoji prior to SMR Dec-2023 Release 1 allows attackers to read sandbox data of AR Emoji. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper exception management vulnerability in Knox Guard prior to SMR Dec-2023 Release 1 allows Knox Guard lock bypass via changing system time. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Memory corruption in Automotive OS whenever untrusted apps try to access HAb for graphics functionalities. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Transient DOS in Automotive OS due to improper authentication to the secure IO calls. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Cryptographic issue in GPS HLOS Driver while downloading Qualcomm GNSS assistance data. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SMU versions prior to 14.8.7825.01 are susceptible to unintended information disclosure, through URL manipulation. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
When configured in debugging mode by an authenticated user with administrative privileges, ALEOS 4.16 and earlier store the SHA512 hash of the common root password for that version in a directory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In keyguardGoingAway of ActivityTaskManagerService.java, there is a possible lock screen bypass due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
In getCredentialManagerPolicy of DevicePolicyManagerService.java, there is a possible method for users to select credential managers without permission due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
An issue discovered in Connectize AC21000 G6 641.139.1.1256 allows attackers to gain control of the device via the change password functionality as it does not prompt for the current password. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Traefik is an open source HTTP reverse proxy and load balancer. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SEMCMS 3.9 is vulnerable to SQL Injection. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Dell DM5500 5.14.0.0 and prior contain an improper authentication vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Patch in third party library Consul requires 'enable-script-checks' to be set to False. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available.
In aee, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In enginnermode service, there is a possible way to write permission usage records of an app due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In telecom service, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In camera service, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In power manager, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In telecom service, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In telecom service, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In telecom service, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In sysui, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In telecom service, there is a possible way to write permission usage records of an app due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In telecom service, there is a possible way to write permission usage records of an app due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 32724