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 (32743)
Active Directory Domain Services Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Windows Kernel Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Mark of the Web Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Windows Search Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Azure DevOps Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
An authorization bypass through user-controlled key [CWE-639] vulnerability in Fortinet FortiManager version 7.4.0 and before 7.2.3 and FortiAnalyzer version 7.4.0 and before 7.2.3 allows a remote. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper authorization vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS 7.0.0 - 7.0.11 and 7.2.0 - 7.2.4 allows an attacker belonging to the prof-admin profile to perform elevated actions. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper access control vulnerability [CWE-284] in FortiManager management interface 7.2.0 through 7.2.2, 7.0.0 through 7.0.7, 6.4.0 through 6.4.11, 6.2 all versions, 6.0 all versions may allow a. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An incorrect authorization vulnerability [CWE-863] in FortiMail webmail version 7.2.0 through 7.2.2, version 7.0.0 through 7.0.5 and below 6.4.7 allows an authenticated attacker to login on other. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper access control vulnerability in Fortinet FortiOS 7.2.0 - 7.2.4 and 7.4.0 allows an attacker to access a restricted resource from a non trusted host. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Sangfor Next-Gen Application Firewall version NGAF8.0.17 is vulnerable to an authentication bypass 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 BIG-IP SPK TMM (Traffic Management Module) f5-debug-sidecar and f5-debug-sshd containers contains hardcoded credentials that may allow an attacker with the ability to intercept traffic to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
When running in Appliance mode, an authenticated user assigned the Administrator role may be able to bypass Appliance mode restrictions, utilizing BIG-IP external monitor on a BIG-IP system. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC CP 1604 (All versions), SIMATIC CP 1616 (All versions), SIMATIC CP 1623 (All versions), SIMATIC CP 1626 (All versions), SIMATIC CP 1628 (All versions). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in CP-8031 MASTER MODULE (All versions < CPCI85 V05.11 (only with activated debug support)), CP-8050 MASTER MODULE (All versions < CPCI85 V05.11 (only with. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability could allow attackers to gain access using credentials embedded in source code.
S/4HANA Manage (Withholding Tax Items) - version 106, does not perform necessary authorization checks for an authenticated user, resulting in escalation of privileges which has low impact on the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect access control in 70mai a500s v1.2.119 allows attackers to directly access and delete the video files of the driving recorder through ftp and other protocols. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Wazuh is a security detection, visibility, and compliance open source project. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
HP LIFE Android Mobile application is potentially vulnerable to escalation of privilege and/or information disclosure. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Micronaut Security is a security solution for applications. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to missing authorization. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization in RDT400 in SICK APU allows an unprivileged remote attacker to modify data via HTTP requests that no not require authentication. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Access Control in SICK APU allows an unprivileged remote attacker to download as well as upload arbitrary files via anonymous access to the FTP server. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Mattermost fails to properly check the creator of an attached file when adding the file to a draft post, potentially exposing unauthorized file information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the SportsTeams extension for MediaWiki before 1.35.12, 1.36.x through 1.39.x before 1.39.5, and 1.40.x before 1.40.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In FW-PackageManager, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In FW-PackageManager, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), 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 Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In SoundRecorder 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 SoundRecorder 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 medium severity (CVSS 4.4), 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 way to write permission usage records of an app due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In linkturbo, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In phasechecksercer, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In phasecheckserver, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Dialer, there is a possible missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in NETIS SYSTEMS N3Mv2 v.1.0.1.865 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via the authorization component in the HTTP request. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In visitUris of Notification.java, there is a possible way to reveal image contents from another user due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
In visitUris of Notification.java, there is a possible bypass of user profile boundaries due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
A flaw was found in Open vSwitch that allows ICMPv6 Neighbor Advertisement packets between virtual machines to bypass OpenFlow rules. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Decidim is a participatory democracy framework, written in Ruby on Rails, originally developed for the Barcelona City government online and offline participation website. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to missing authorization. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Profile Extra Fields by BestWebSoft plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the prflxtrflds_export_file function in versions up to,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to missing authorization. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to missing authorization. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to missing authorization. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to missing authorization. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to missing authorization. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure due to missing authorization. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to missing authorization. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to missing authorization. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell SmartFabric Storage Software v1.4 (and earlier) contains an Improper Input Validation vulnerability in RADIUS configuration. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dell SmartFabric Storage Software v1.4 (and earlier) contains an improper access control vulnerability in the CLI. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Qognify NiceVision versions 3.1 and prior are vulnerable to exposing sensitive information using hard-coded credentials. 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 WatchGuard EPDR 8.0.21.0002. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Soft Serve is a self-hostable Git server for the command line. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Nexkey is a fork of Misskey, an open source, decentralized social media platform. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), 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.
Misskey is an open source, decentralized social media platform. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), 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.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to missing authorization. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A vulnerability in Cisco Emergency Responder could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to log in to an affected device using the root account, which has default, static credentials that cannot. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
IBM UrbanCode Deploy (UCD) 7.1 - 7.1.2.12, 7.2 through 7.2.3.5, and 7.3 through 7.3.2.0 under certain configurations could allow an authenticated user to make changes to environment variables due to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), 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.
Atlassian has been made aware of an issue reported by a handful of customers where external attackers may have exploited a previously unknown vulnerability in publicly accessible Confluence Data. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Actively exploited in the wild (cisa kev) and public exploit code available.
An improper access control flaw was found in Candlepin. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Sensitive information disclosure and manipulation due to missing authorization. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper authorization vulnerability in HelpDezk Community affecting version 1.1.10. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
If Security Hardening guide rules are not followed, then Nokia WaveLite products allow a local user to create new users with administrative privileges by manipulating a web request. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper authorisation of regular users in ProIntegra Uptime DC software (versions below 2.0.0.33940) allows them to change passwords of all other users including administrators leading to a. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WP Mail SMTP Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the is_print_page function in versions up to, and including, 3.8.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An attacker could send an HTTP request to an Open5GS endpoint and retrieve the information stored on the device due to the lack of Authentication. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Authorization bypass vulnerability in UPV PEIX, affecting the component "pdf_curri_new.php". Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The web service of ByDemes Group Airspace CCTV Web Service in its 2.616.BY00.11 version, contains a privilege escalation vulnerability, detected in the Camera Control Panel, whose exploitation could. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Access Control in GitHub repository salesagility/suitecrm prior to 7.14.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Authorization bypass vulnerability in BuddyBoss 2.2.9 version, the exploitation of which could allow an authenticated user to access and rename other users' albums. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The QSige login SSO does not have an access control mechanism to verify whether the user requesting a resource has sufficient permissions to do so. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The QSige Monitor application does not have an access control mechanism to verify whether the user requesting a resource has sufficient permissions to do so. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
cashIT!. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cryptographic issue in Data Modem due to improper authentication during TLS handshake. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Memory Corruption in Core while invoking a call to Access Control core library with hardware protected address range. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Access to the VM resource manager can lead to Memory Corruption. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Versions of the package asyncua before 0.9.96 are vulnerable to Improper Authentication such that it is possible to access Address Space without encryption and authentication. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 32743