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 (37797)
Vulnerability in the Oracle Access Manager product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Admin Console). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability could allow attackers to access critical functionality without authentication.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Transportation Management product of Oracle Supply Chain (component: Business Process Automation). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Security). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise Common Components product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Approval Framework). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Access Manager product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Authentication Engine). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Shell product of Oracle MySQL (component: Shell: Core Client). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.9), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Shell product of Oracle MySQL (component: Shell: Core Client). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Networking). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Framework product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Session Management). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Tools product of Oracle JD Edwards (component: Web Runtime SEC). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Tools product of Oracle JD Edwards (component: Web Runtime SEC). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Enterprise Manager Base Platform product of Oracle Enterprise Manager (component: Application Config Console). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle SOA Suite product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Adapters). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Security). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: JGSS). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Enterprise Data Quality product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Dashboard). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Enterprise Data Quality product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Dashboard). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Enterprise Data Quality product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Dashboard). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Enterprise Data Quality product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Dashboard). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Analytics Server). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Portal). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Siebel Core - DB Deployment and Configuration product of Oracle Siebel CRM (component: Repository Utilities). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: JavaScript). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle HTTP Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: OHS Config MBeans). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Security: Encryption). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle BI Publisher product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core Formatting API). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, 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.
The web app client of TP-Link AX10v1 V1_211117 uses hard-coded cryptographic keys when communicating with the router. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The DevExpress Resource Handler (ASPxHttpHandlerModule) in DevExpress ASP.NET Web Forms Build v19.2.3 does not verify the referenced objects in the /DXR.axd?r= HTTP GET parameter. 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 classified as problematic has been found in SourceCodester Simple Cold Storage Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in SourceCodester Simple Cold Storage Management System 1.0 and classified as problematic. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Wire is an encrypted communication and collaboration platform. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
An Improper Authentication vulnerability in the kernel of Juniper Networks Junos OS allows an unauthenticated, network-based attacker to cause an impact on confidentiality or integrity. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk VantagePoint versions 8.0, 8.10, 8.20, 8.30, 8.31 are vulnerable to an improper access control vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
HIWIN Robot System Software version 3.3.21.9869 does not properly address the terminated command source. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab EE affecting all versions starting from 14.5 before 15.1.6, all versions starting from 15.2 before 15.2.4, all versions starting from 15.3 before 15.3.2. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Improper access control in the GitLab CE/EE API affecting all versions starting from 12.8 before 15.2.5, all versions starting from 15.3 before 15.3.4, all versions starting from 15.4 before 15.4.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Lack of IP address checking in GitLab EE affecting all versions from 14.2 prior to 15.2.5, 15.3 prior to 15.3.4, and 15.4 prior to 15.4.1 allows a group member to bypass IP restrictions when using a. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in the Import functionality of GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 14.4 before 15.2.5, all versions starting from 15.3 before 15.3.4, all versions starting. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions starting from 10.0 before 15.2.5, all versions starting from 15.3 before 15.3.4, all versions starting from 15.4 before 15.4.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper access control issue in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting before 15.1.6, all versions from 15.2 before 15.2.4, all versions from 15.3 before 15.3.2 allows disclosure of. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An improper access control issue in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 15.2 before 15.2.4, all versions from 15.3 before 15.3.2 allows disclosure of confidential information via the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions starting from 12.10 before 15.1.6, all versions starting from 15.2 before 15.2.4, all versions starting from 15.3 before 15.3.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Remote code execution vulnerability due to insufficient user privilege verification in reverseWall-MDS. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload WordPress plugin before 1.3.6.5 does not properly check for the upload size limit set in forms, taking the value from user input sent when submitting the form. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The Import all XML, CSV & TXT WordPress plugin before 6.5.8 does not have authorisation in some places, which could allow any authenticated users to access some of the plugin features if they manage. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Multiple Trumpf Products in multiple versions use default privileged Windows users and passwords. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
anji-plus AJ-Report 0.9.8.6 allows remote attackers to bypass login authentication by spoofing JWT Tokens. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
go-admin (aka GO Admin) 2.0.12 uses the string go-admin as a production JWT key. 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.
socket/transport.ex in Phoenix before 1.6.14 mishandles check_origin wildcarding. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), 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.
An issue was discovered in wolfSSL before 5.5.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue in OXHOO TP50 OXH1.50 allows unauthenticated attackers to access the administrative panel via browsing to the URL http://device_ip/index1.html. 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.
GoCD is a continuous delivery server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Adobe ColdFusion versions Update 14 (and earlier) and Update 4 (and earlier) are affected by a Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerability that could result in application denial-of-service by. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Commerce versions 2.4.4-p1 (and earlier) and 2.4.5 (and earlier) are affected by an Improper Access Control vulnerability that could result in a Security feature bypass. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
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 Music service, there is a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Music service, there is a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Music service, there is a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Music service, there is a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), 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.
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 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 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.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 37797