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 (32993)
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality OPERA 5 Property Services product of Oracle Hospitality Applications (component: Logging). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Marketing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Marketing Administration). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise SCM eSupplier Connection product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: eSupplier Connection). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Installation). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle One-to-One Fulfillment product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Print Server). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Security: Roles). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion Infrastructure Technology product of Oracle Hyperion (component: UI and Visualization). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle CRM Technical Foundation product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Flex Fields). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Marketing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Marketing Administration). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Query). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the BI Publisher product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: BI Publisher Security). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Application Object Library product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Diagnostics). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Security: Privileges). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Marketing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Marketing Administration). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Integration Broker). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Marketing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Marketing Administration). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Security: LDAP Auth). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Manager product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: SQL Extensions). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle CRM Technical Foundation product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Preferences). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Installed Base product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: APIs). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle One-to-One Fulfillment product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Print Server). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems (component: Utility). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Marketing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Marketing Administration). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Marketing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Marketing Administration). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Analytics Actions). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: PIA Grids). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Manager product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: AMP EBS Integration). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Suite8 product of Oracle Hospitality Applications (component: WebConnect). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Suite8 product of Oracle Hospitality Applications (component: WebConnect). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Query). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle E-Business Suite Secure Enterprise Search product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Search Integration Engine). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE product of Oracle Java SE (component: Libraries). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: PIA Core Technology). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: PIA Core Technology). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Libraries). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Libraries). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Libraries). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: PIA Core Technology). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Hotspot). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Communications Diameter Signaling Router (DSR) product of Oracle Communications (component: User Interface). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Communications Diameter Signaling Router (DSR) product of Oracle Communications (component: User Interface). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle BI Publisher product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Mobile Service). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality RES 3700 product of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications (component: CAL). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Libraries). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: JNDI). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the BI Publisher product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: BI Publisher Security). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion Lifecycle Management product of Oracle Hyperion (component: Shared Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion BI+ product of Oracle Hyperion (component: IQR-Foundation service). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion BI+ product of Oracle Hyperion (component: IQR-Foundation service). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Analytics Web Administration). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion Planning product of Oracle Hyperion (component: Application Development Framework). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Application Express Quick Poll component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Application Express component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Manager product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Oracle Diagnostics Interfaces). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems (component: Kernel). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.5).
Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems (component: Kernel). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Web Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Reporting and Analytics product of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications (component: Installation). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion Lifecycle Management product of Oracle Hyperion (component: Shared Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Framework product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Popup windows). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle REST Data Services product of Oracle REST Data Services (component: General). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle REST Data Services product of Oracle REST Data Services (component: General). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java VM component of Oracle Database Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component of Oracle Database Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the SQL Developer Install component of Oracle Database Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Database Vault component of Oracle Database Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Customer Management and Segmentation Foundation product of Oracle Retail Applications (component: Promotions). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Customer Management and Segmentation Foundation product of Oracle Retail Applications (component: Segment). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Acronis True Image 2021 includes an OpenSSL component that specifies an OPENSSLDIR variable as a subdirectory within C:\jenkins_agent\. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Acronis Cyber Backup 12.5 and Cyber Protect 15 include an OpenSSL component that specifies an OPENSSLDIR variable as a subdirectory within C:\jenkins_agent\. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Spree before versions 3.7.11, 4.0.4, or 4.1.11, expired user tokens could be used to access Storefront API v2 endpoints. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), 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.
SAP Solution Manager and SAP Focused Run (update provided in WILY_INTRO_ENTERPRISE 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 10.7), allows an unauthenticated attackers to bypass the authentication if the default passwords. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
SAP Banking Services version 500, use an incorrect authorization object in some of its reports. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in Infinispan (org.infinispan:infinispan-server-runtime) version 10, where it permits local access to controls via both REST and HotRod APIs. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A DNS rebinding vulnerability in the UPnP MediaServer implementation in Freebox Server before 4.2.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A remote urlaccesscontroller authentication bypass vulnerability was discovered in HPE Intelligent Management Center (iMC) version(s): Prior to iMC PLAT 7.3 (E0705P07). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Word software when it fails to properly handle .LNK files. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required.
<p>A spoofing vulnerability exists when Windows incorrectly validates file signatures. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when Microsoft Windows fails to handle file creation permissions, which could allow an attacker to create files in a protected Unified Extensible. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
<p>An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way Azure Functions validate access keys.</p> <p>An unauthenticated attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could invoke an. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
When SAML authentication is enabled, Juniper Networks Mist Cloud UI might incorrectly handle child elements in SAML responses, allowing a remote attacker to modify a valid SAML response without. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
When SAML authentication is enabled, Juniper Networks Mist Cloud UI might incorrectly handle SAML responses, allowing a remote attacker to modify a valid SAML response without invalidating its. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 32993