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 (32730)
Chunghwa Telecom NOKIA G-040W-Q has a vulnerability of insufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Lost and Found Information System 1.0 allows account takeover via username and password to a /classes/Users.php?f=save URI. 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 the Boomerang Parental Control application through 13.83 for Android. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the Boomerang Parental Control application before 13.83 for Android. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In the module "Pixel Plus: Events + CAPI + Pixel Catalog for Facebook Module" (facebookconversiontrackingplus) up to version 2.4.9 from Smart Modules for PrestaShop, a guest can download personal. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Submitty before v22.06.00 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Dromara Lamp-Cloud before v3.8.1 was discovered to use a hardcoded cryptographic key when creating and verifying a Json Web Token. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability could allow attackers to gain access using credentials embedded in source code.
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows contains a vulnerability in the kernel mode layer, where an unprivileged regular user can cause improper access control, which may lead to denial of service or. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA GPU Display Driver for Windows contains a vulnerability in wksServicePlugin.dll, where the driver implementation does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access from the named pipe server to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in PT-G503 Series firmware versions prior to v5.2, where the Secure attribute for sensitive cookies in HTTPS sessions is not set, which could cause the cookie to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in PT-G503 Series versions prior to v5.2, where the session cookies attribute is not set properly in the affected application. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
RMI was not requiring authentication when calling ChronosRMIService:setEventOrganizer. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sangoma Technologies FreePBX before cdr 15.0.18, 16.0.40, 15.0.16, and 16.0.17 was discovered to contain an access control issue via a modified parameter value, e.g., changing extension=self to. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Lissy93 Dashy 2.1.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Multiple MFPs (multifunction printers) provided by FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in the password analyzer feature in Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager 2023.2.33 and earlier on Windows allows an attacker to bypass permissions via data source switching. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the IP geolocation rules of Snort 3 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to potentially bypass IP address restrictions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the remote access SSL VPN feature of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an authenticated, remote. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Multiple Cisco products are affected by a vulnerability in Snort access control policies that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass the configured policies on an affected system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Multiple Cisco products are affected by a vulnerability in the Snort detection engine that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass the configured policies on an affected system. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Multiple vulnerabilities in the per-user-override feature of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Multiple vulnerabilities in the per-user-override feature of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in NPort 6000 Series, making the authentication mechanism vulnerable. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In sim service, there is a possible way to write permission usage records of an app due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In dm 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 engineermode, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In engineermode, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In engineermode, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In engineermode, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Ifaa 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 dm 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 validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In validationtools, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Access Control in Dolibarr ERP CRM <= v17.0.3 allows an unauthorized authenticated user to read a database table containing customer data. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
The Pimcore Admin Classic Bundle provides a backend UI for Pimcore. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability could allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
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.
TOTOLINK A3300R V17.0.0cu.557_B20221024 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control. 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.
All versions of Confluence Data Center and Server are affected by this unexploited vulnerability. 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.
The WordPress File Sharing Plugin WordPress plugin before 2.0.5 does not check authorization before displaying files and folders, allowing users to gain access to those filed by manipulating IDs. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK X6000R V9.4.0cu.852_B20230719 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control.Attackers can reset login password & WIFI passwords without authentication. 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 the component SuperUserSetuserModuleFrontController:init() of idnovate superuser before v2.4.2 allows attackers to bypass authentication via a crafted HTTP call. 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.
Missing Authorization in GitHub repository hamza417/inure prior to Build95. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
KernelSU is a Kernel based root solution for Android. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in minCal v.1.0.0 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted script to the customer_data parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
CloudExplorer Lite is an open source, lightweight cloud management platform. 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.
In Settings, there is a possible way for the user to change SIM due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Sim, there is a possible way to evade mobile preference restrictions due to a permission bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Settings, there is a possible bypass of profile owner restrictions due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Settings, there is a possible restriction bypass due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Content Resolver, there is a possible method to access metadata about existing content providers on the device due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Telecomm, there is a possible way to silence the ring for calls of secondary users due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Telephony, there is a possible way for a guest user to change the preferred SIM due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NATS nats-server before 2.9.23 and 2.10.x before 2.10.2 has an authentication bypass. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Permission Manager, there is a possible way to bypass required permissions due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Telecomm, there is a possible way to get the call state due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Activity Manager, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Package Installer, there is a possible way to determine whether an app is installed, without query permissions, due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Package Manager, there is a possible cross-user settings disclosure due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Core, there is a possible way to forward calls without user knowledge due to a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Settings, there is a possible way to control private DNS settings from a secondary user due to a permissions bypass. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Bluetooth, there is a possible way for a paired Bluetooth device to access a long term identifier for an Android device due to a permissions bypass. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In SEPolicy, there is a possible way to access the factory MAC address due to a permissions bypass. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Slice, there is a possible disclosure of installed packages due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Grid Plus plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data and loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'grid_plus_save_layout_callback' and. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Access Control in GitHub repository mintplex-labs/anything-llm prior to 0.1.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
The Post Meta Data Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the pmdm_wp_delete_user_meta, pmdm_wp_delete_term_meta, and. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
The Post Meta Data Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the pmdm_wp_change_user_meta and pmdm_wp_change_post_meta. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), 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.
HashiCorp Vagrant's Windows installer targeted a custom location with a non-protected path that could be junctioned, introducing potential for unauthorized file system writes. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in ColumbiaSoft Document Locator. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In resetSettingsLocked of SettingsProvider.java, there is a possible lockscreen bypass due to a permissions bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
An issue was discovered in Cassia Access Controller 2.1.1.2303271039. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Due to inadequate code logic, a previously unauthenticated threat actor could potentially obtain a local Windows OS user token through the FactoryTalk® Services Platform web service and then use the. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
VMware Tools contains a SAML token signature bypass vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required.
VinChin Backup & Recovery v5.0.*, v6.0.*, v6.7.*, and v7.0.* was discovered to contain hardcoded credentials. 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.
Sielco PolyEco1000 is vulnerable to an authentication bypass vulnerability due to an attacker modifying passwords in a POST request and gain unauthorized access to the affected device with. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sielco PolyEco1000 is vulnerable to an improper access control vulnerability when the application provides direct access to objects based on user-supplied input. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sielco PolyEco1000 is vulnerable to an attacker bypassing authorization and accessing resources behind protected pages. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sielco PolyEco1000 is vulnerable to an information disclosure vulnerability due to improper access control enforcement. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sielco PolyEco1000 is vulnerable to an attacker escalating their privileges by modifying passwords in POST requests. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 32730