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 (32848)
In Music service, there is a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Soundrecorder service, there is a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Gallery service, there is a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In messaging service, there is a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In messaging service, there is a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In messaging service, there is a 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 missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In soundrecorder service, there is a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In music service, there is a missing permission check. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Online Birth Certificate Management System version 1.0 suffers from an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The HISP module has a vulnerability of bypassing the check of the data transferred in the kernel space.Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may cause unauthorized access to the HISP module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The fingerprint module has service logic errors.Successful exploitation of this vulnerability will cause the phone lock to be cracked. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OpenHarmony-v3.1.2 and prior versions have a Missing permission validation vulnerability in param service of startup subsystem. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OpenHarmony-v3.1.2 and prior versions have an authenication bypass vulnerability in a callback handler function of Softbus_server in communication subsystem. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Zoom On-Premise Meeting Connector MMR before version 4.8.20220916.131 contains an improper access control vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Zoom On-Premise Meeting Connector MMR before version 4.8.20220815.130 contains an improper access control vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Zoom On-Premise Meeting Connector MMR before version 4.8.20220815.130 contains an improper access control vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Ree6 is a moderation bot. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
Grafana is an open source data visualization platform for metrics, logs, and traces. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Improper Authentication vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
Boodskap IoT Platform v4.4.9-02 allows attackers to make unauthenticated API requests. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Boodskap IoT Platform v4.4.9-02 allows attackers to escalate privileges via a crafted request sent to /api/user/upsert/<uuid>. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
node SAML is a SAML 2.0 library based on the SAML implementation of passport-saml. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Grafana is an open source observability and data visualization platform. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
In affected versions of Octopus Server it is possible to reveal information about teams via the API due to an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Passport-SAML is a SAML 2.0 authentication provider for Passport, the Node.js authentication library. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
An authentication bypass vulnerability in the Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 8.1 web interface allows a network-based attacker with specific knowledge of the target firewall or Panorama appliance to. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Mediabridge Medialink. 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.
Apache Shiro before 1.10.0, Authentication Bypass Vulnerability in Shiro when forwarding or including via RequestDispatcher. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Multiple Improper Access Control was discovered in Nokia AirFrame BMC Web GUI < R18 Firmware v4.13.00. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Hashicorp Packer before 2.3.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In Messaging, There has unauthorized broadcast, this could cause Local Deny of Service.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-242259918. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, There has unauthorized provider, this could cause Local Deny of Service.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-242266172. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, There has unauthorized broadcast, this could cause Local Deny of Service.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-242259920. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Messaging, There has unauthorized broadcast, this could cause Local Deny of Service.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-242258929. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is an missing authorization issue in the system service. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is an missing authorization issue in the system service. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is an missing authorization issue in the system service. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is an missing authorization issue in the system service. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There is an missing authorization issue in the system service. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In getInputMethodWindowVisibleHeight of InputMethodManagerService.java, there is a possible way to determine when another app is showing an IME due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
Windows Portable Device Enumerator Service Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Windows Active Directory Certificate Services Security Feature Bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Windows NTLM Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Windows CryptoAPI Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Cloud Mobility for Dell Storage versions 1.3.0 and earlier contains an Improper Access Control vulnerability within the Postgres database. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Dell Hybrid Client below 1.8 version contains a guest user profile corruption vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
IBM Navigator Mobile Android 3.4.1.1 and 3.4.1.2 app could allow a local user to obtain sensitive information due to improper access control. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Affected devices do not properly authorize the change password function of the web interface. 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.
Dell Enterprise SONiC OS, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, contain a cryptographic key vulnerability in SSH. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the software image verification functionality of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9200 Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, physical attacker to execute unsigned. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in authentication mechanism of Cisco Software-Defined Application Visibility and Control (SD-AVC) on Cisco vManage could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access the GUI of. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
app/Controller/UsersController.php in MISP before 2.4.164 allows attackers to discover role names (this is information that only the site admin should have). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
An access-control vulnerability in Gradle Enterprise 2022.4 through 2022.3.1 allows remote attackers to prevent backups from occurring, and send emails with arbitrary text content to the configured. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
ZoneMinder is a free, open source Closed-circuit television software application. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An access control issue in ZKTeco ZKBioSecurity V5000 3.0.5_r allows attackers to arbitrarily create admin users via a crafted HTTP request. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
On Metasys ADX Server version 12.0 running MVE, an Active Directory user could execute validated actions without providing a valid password when using MVE SMP UI. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in Samsung Checkout prior to version 5.0.55.3 allows attackers to access sensitive information via implicit intent broadcast. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in ProfileSharingAccount in Group Sharing prior to versions 13.0.6.15 in Android S(12), 13.0.6.14 in Android R(11) and below allows attackers to identify the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper component protection vulnerability in Samsung Account prior to version 13.5.0 allows attackers to unauthorized logout. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper authorization vulnerability in Samsung Internet prior to version 18.0.4.14 allows physical attackers to add bookmarks in secret mode without user authentication. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability cloudNotificationManager.java in SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.0 allows attackers to access sensitive information via implicit broadcasts. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in cloudNotificationManager.java SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.0 allows attackers to access sensitive information via PUSH_MESSAGE_RECEIVED broadcast. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in cloudNotificationManager.java SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.0 allows attackers to access sensitive information via REMOVE_PERSISTENT_BANNER broadcast. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in GedSamsungAccount.kt SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.0 allows attackers to access sensitive information via implicit broadcast. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in cloudNotificationManager.java SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.0 allows attackers to access sensitive information via SHOW_PERSISTENT_BANNER broadcast. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in RegisteredEventMediator.kt SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.0 allows attackers to access sensitive information via implicit broadcast. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in ContentsSharingActivity.java SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.0 allows attackers to access sensitive information via implicit broadcast. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in WifiSetupLaunchHelper in SmartThings prior to version 1.7.89.25 allows attackers to access sensitive information via implicit intent. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper authorization in Dynamic Lockscreen prior to SMR Sep-2022 Release 1 in Android R(11) and 3.3.03.66 in Android S(12) allows unauthorized use of javascript interface api. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Unprotected Receiver in AtBroadcastReceiver in FactoryCamera prior to version 3.5.51 allows attackers to record video without camera privilege. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in QuickShare prior to version 13.2.3.5 allows attackers to access sensitive information via implicit broadcast. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in CameraTestActivity in FactoryCameraFB prior to version 3.5.51 allows attackers to access broadcasting Intent as system uid privilege. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in FACM application prior to SMR Oct-2022 Release 1 allows a local attacker to connect arbitrary AP and Bluetooth devices. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper protection in IOMMU prior to SMR Oct-2022 Release 1 allows unauthorized access to secure memory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control vulnerability in CocktailBarService prior to SMR Oct-2022 Release 1 allows local attacker to bind service that require BIND_REMOTEVIEWS permission. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in mum_container_policy service prior to SMR Oct-2022 Release 1 allows allows unauthorized read of configuration data. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper access control in knox_vpn_policy service prior to SMR Oct-2022 Release 1 allows allows unauthorized read of configuration data. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NPS before v0.26.10 was discovered to contain an authentication bypass vulnerability via constantly generating and sending the Auth key and Timestamp parameters. 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.
Saleor is a headless, GraphQL commerce platform. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
FlyteAdmin is the control plane for the data processing platform Flyte. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), 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.
A Incorrect Authorization vulnerability in chkstat of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12-SP5; openSUSE Leap 15.3, openSUSE Leap 15.4, openSUSE Leap Micro 5.2 did not consider group writable path. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Frontend File Manager Plugin WordPress plugin before 21.3 allows any unauthenticated user to rename uploaded files from users. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Dapr Dashboard v0.1.0 through v0.10.0 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control that allows attackers to obtain 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.
A vulnerability in authentication mechanism of Cisco Software-Defined Application Visibility and Control (SD-AVC) on Cisco vManage could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access the GUI of. 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 client forwarding code of multiple Cisco Access Points (APs) could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to inject packets from the native VLAN to clients within. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the smart card login authentication of Cisco Duo for macOS could allow an unauthenticated attacker with physical access to bypass authentication. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The H5P activity attempts report did not filter by groups, which in separate groups mode could reveal information to non-editing teachers about attempts/users in groups they should not have access 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.
AppLock version 7.9.29 allows an attacker with physical access to the device to bypass biometric authentication. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In affected versions of Octopus Deploy it is possible to bypass rate limiting on login using null bytes. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Discourse is an open source discussion platform. 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.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 32848