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 (37748)
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WPcloudgallery WordPress Gallery Exporter.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
qdrant/qdrant is vulnerable to a path traversal and arbitrary file upload vulnerability via the `/collections/{COLLECTION}/snapshots/upload` endpoint, specifically through the `snapshot` parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
gaizhenbiao/chuanhuchatgpt is vulnerable to improper access control, allowing unauthorized access to the `config.json` file. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A command injection vulnerability exists in the `TranscriptEndpoint` of mudler/localai, specifically within the `audioToWav` function used for converting audio files to WAV format for transcription. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
lunary-ai/lunary version 1.0.1 is vulnerable to improper authorization, allowing removed members to read, create, modify, and delete prompt templates using an old authorization token. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
In lunary-ai/lunary version 1.0.1, a vulnerability exists where a user removed from an organization can still read, create, modify, and delete logs by re-using an old authorization token. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
By knowing an organization's ID, an attacker can join the organization without permission and gain the ability to read and modify all data within that organization. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerability exists in the lunary-ai/lunary application version 0.3.0, allowing unauthorized deletion of any organization's project. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
An OS Command Injection vulnerability exists in the '/open_code_folder' endpoint of the parisneo/lollms-webui application, due to improper validation of user-supplied input in the 'discussion_id'. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
IBM Security Verify Access Appliance 10.0.0 through 10.0.7 contains hard-coded credentials which it uses for its own inbound authentication that could be obtained by a malicious actor. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Saleswonder Team: Tobias 5 Stars Rating Funnel 5-stars-rating-funnel.2.67. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WPExperts Wholesale For WooCommerce.3.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Users with low privileges (all permissions deselected in the administrator permissions settings) can view certain pages that expose sensitive information such as company names, users' names and. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Essential Grid Gallery WordPress Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.1 via the on_front_ajax_action() function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WP Radio - Worldwide Online Radio Stations Directory for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on multiple AJAX. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WP Radio - Worldwide Online Radio Stations Directory for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's settings in all versions up to, and. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Relevanssi - A Better Search plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the relevanssi_update_counts() function in all versions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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 WordPress Gallery Plugin - NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the get_item function in versions up to, and. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 22.1%.
The Permalink Manager Lite plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the 'get_uri_editor' function in all versions up to, and including,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
The Event Tickets and Registration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 5.8.2 via the RSVP functionality. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Advanced Classifieds & Directory Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized loss of data due to a missing capability check on the ajax_callback_delete_attachment function in all. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Form Maker by 10Web - Mobile-Friendly Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.15.22 via the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. This Improper Authentication vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
The Video Conferencing with Zoom plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 4.4.5 via the get_assign_host_id AJAX action. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The RegistrationMagic - Custom Registration Forms, User Registration, Payment, and User Login plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the. 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.
The Graphene theme for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data via meta tag in all versions up to, and including, 2.9.2. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WP Compress - Image Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the 'wps_local_compress::__construct' function in all. 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 MasterStudy LMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to a missing capability check on the search_posts function in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.13. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The AI Post Generator | AutoWriter plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access, modification or deletion of posts due to a missing capability check on functions hooked by AJAX actions. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Accordion plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data and modification of data due to a missing capability check on the 'accordions_duplicate_post_as_draft' function in all. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The 360 Javascript Viewer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check and nonce exposure on several AJAX actions in all versions up to,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Newsmatic theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.0 via the 'newsmatic_filter_posts_load_tab_content'. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Happy Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to insufficient authorization on the duplicate_thing() function in all versions up to, and. 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 Classified Listing - Classified ads & Business Directory Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access & modification of data due to a missing capability check on the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WooCommerce Cloak Affiliate Links plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the 'permalink_settings_save' function in all. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The LearnPress - WordPress LMS Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in all versions up to, and including, 4.2.6.3 due to missing validation on a user. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The s2Member - Best Membership Plugin for All Kinds of Memberships, Content Restriction Paywalls & Member Access Subscriptions plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Information Exposure in all. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Watu Quiz plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 3.4.1 via the watu-userinfo shortcode. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
The WooCommerce Clover Payment Gateway plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the callback_handler function in all versions up. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Pods - Custom Content Types and Fields plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Missing Authorization in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.10 (with the exception of 2.7.31.2, 2.8.23.2,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Azure CycleCloud Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service Confidential Container Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Azure AI Search Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required.
Microsoft Defender for IoT Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Microsoft Defender for IoT Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4). No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Azure Arc-enabled Kubernetes Extension Cluster-Scope Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Update Stack Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Proxy Driver Spoofing Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Windows Cryptographic Services Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Azure Migrate Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4). No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Azure Compute Gallery Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
BitLocker Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was discovered in the firmware builds after 8.0.2.3267 and prior to 8.1.3.1301 in CCX devices. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Authentication Bypass by Spoofing vulnerability by replacing to exsiting notes in Apache Zeppelin.10.1 before 0.11.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in PenciDesign Soledad.4.2. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in PenciDesign Soledad.4.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE W1748-1 M12 (6GK5748-1GY01-0AA0), SCALANCE W1748-1 M12 (6GK5748-1GY01-0TA0), SCALANCE W1788-1 M12 (6GK5788-1GY01-0AA0), SCALANCE W1788-2 EEC M12. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE W1748-1 M12 (6GK5748-1GY01-0AA0), SCALANCE W1748-1 M12 (6GK5748-1GY01-0TA0), SCALANCE W1788-1 M12 (6GK5788-1GY01-0AA0), SCALANCE W1788-2 EEC M12. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE W721-1 RJ45 (6GK5721-1FC00-0AA0) (All versions), SCALANCE W721-1 RJ45 (6GK5721-1FC00-0AB0) (All versions), SCALANCE W722-1 RJ45 (6GK5722-1FC00-0AA0). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Themify Post Type Builder (PTB).0.8. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cash Management in SAP S/4 HANA does not perform necessary authorization checks for an authenticated user, resulting in escalation of privileges. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cash Management in SAP S/4 HANA does not perform necessary authorization checks for an authenticated user, resulting in escalation of privileges. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SAP Group Reporting Data Collection does not perform necessary authorization checks for an authenticated user, resulting in escalation of privileges. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) in GNU Savane v.3.12 and before allows a remote attacker to delete arbitrary files via crafted input to the trackers_data_delete_file function. 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.
In TOTOLINK EX200 V4.0.3c.7314_B20191204, an attacker can obtain the configuration file without authorization through /cgi-bin/ExportSettings.sh. 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.
TOTOLINK EX200 V4.0.3c.7646_B20201211 allows attackers to bypass login through the Form_Login function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK EX200 V4.0.3c.7646_B20201211 does not contain an authentication mechanism by default. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
TOTOLINK EX200 V4.0.3c.7646_B20201211 allows attackers to start the Telnet service without authorization via the telnet_enabled parameter in the setTelnetCfg function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
In Unify CP IP Phone firmware 1.10.4.3, Weak Credentials are used (a hardcoded root password). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Vulnerability of permission control in the window module. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Saleswonder Team: Tobias WP2LEADS wp2leads.2.7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incorrect Access Control vulnerability in ZLMediaKit versions 1.0 through 8.0, allows remote attackers to escalate privileges and obtain sensitive information. 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 was found in CP Plus Wi-Fi Camera up to 20240401. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Repute Infosystems BookingPress.0.81. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Metagauss ProfileGrid.7.6. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WooCommerce PDF Invoices, Packing Slips, Delivery Notes and Shipping Labels plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WP-Stateless - Google Cloud Storage plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized loss of data due to a missing capability check on the dismiss_notices() function in all versions up to, and. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), 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
- 37748