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 (33065)
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Digital Experience product of Oracle Financial Services Applications (component: Loan Calculator). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Integration Broker). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Performance Monitor). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: BI Platform Security). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise SCM eProcurement product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: eProcurement). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, 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.
Vulnerability in the Java SE product of Oracle Java SE (component: Javadoc). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Deployment). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
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.
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.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iStore product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Order Tracker). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), 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: Networking). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Fluid Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Direct Banking product of Oracle Financial Services Applications (component: eMail). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Direct Banking product of Oracle Financial Services Applications (component: Payments). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management product of Oracle Construction and Engineering (component: Web Access). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Client programs). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Siebel Core - DB Deployment and Configuration product of Oracle Siebel CRM (component: Install - Configuration). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion Financial Reporting product of Oracle Hyperion (component: Security Models). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Libraries). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Cruise Dining Room Management product of Oracle Hospitality Applications (component: Web Service). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Reporting and Analytics component of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: US Federal Specific). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded product of Oracle Java SE (component: Kerberos). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Reporting and Analytics component of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Data Integrator product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Studio). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Advanced Outbound Telephony 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.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion Profitability and Cost Management product of Oracle Hyperion (component: Modeling). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component of Oracle Database Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Reporting and Analytics component of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Reporting and Analytics component of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Siebel UI Framework product of Oracle Siebel CRM (component: EAI). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Reporting and Analytics component of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, 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.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Tree Manager). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Portal). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Field Service product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Wireless). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Portal). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Workflow product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Worklist). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), 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 5.3), 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 5.3), 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 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Fluid Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Information Schema). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Security: Encryption). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Java VM component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Web Services product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: SOAP with Attachments API for Java). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the BI Publisher (formerly XML 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 Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Installation). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Analytics Actions). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle JDeveloper and ADF product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: OAM). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the BI Publisher (formerly XML Publisher) product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: BI Publisher Security). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Analytics Actions). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MICROS Relate CRM Software product of Oracle Retail Applications (component: Internal Operations). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded 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 WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Sample apps). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: EJB Container). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Web Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Forms product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Customer Management and Segmentation Foundation product of Oracle Retail Applications (component: Segment). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Customer Management and Segmentation Foundation product of Oracle Retail Applications (component: Segment). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Service product of Oracle Retail Applications (component: Point of Sale). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7).
Vulnerability in the Core RDBMS component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
A missing permission check in Jenkins Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Compute Classic Plugin allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified URL using attacker-specified. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A missing permission check in Jenkins Rundeck Plugin allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified URL using attacker-specified credentials. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A missing permission check in Jenkins Google Kubernetes Engine Plugin 0.7.0 and earlier allowed attackers with Overall/Read permission to obtain limited information about the scope of a credential. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A missing permission check in Jenkins iceScrum Plugin 1.1.5 and earlier allowed attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified URL using attacker-specified credentials. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A missing permission check in Jenkins CRX Content Package Deployer Plugin 1.8.1 and earlier in various 'doFillCredentialsIdItems' methods allowed users with Overall/Read access to enumerate. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A missing permission check in Jenkins CRX Content Package Deployer Plugin 1.8.1 and earlier allowed attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified URL using. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Yale Bluetooth Key application for mobile devices allows unauthorized unlock actions by sniffing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) traffic during one authorized unlock action, and then calculating the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A flaw was found in the Keycloak REST API before version 8.0.0 where it would permit user access from a realm the user was not configured. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Connect2id Nimbus JOSE+JWT before v7.9 can throw various uncaught exceptions while parsing a JWT, which could result in an application crash (potential information disclosure) or a potential. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Glue Smart Lock 2.7.8 devices do not properly block guest access in certain situations where the network connection is unavailable. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
There are some web interfaces without authentication requirements on D-Link DIR-412 A1-1.14WW routers. 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 flaw was found in wildfly-core before 7.2.5.GA. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in the Popup Maker plugin before 1.8.13 for WordPress. 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.
An issue was discovered on Belkin Wemo Switch 28B WW_2.00.11057.PVT-OWRT-SNS devices. 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.
There are some web interfaces without authentication requirements on D-Link DIR-868L B1-2.03 and DIR-817LW A1-1.04 routers. 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.
D-Link DAP-1320 A2-V1.21 routers have some web interfaces without authentication requirements, as demonstrated by uplink_info.xml. 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 ScreenRotationAnimation of ScreenRotationAnimation.java, there is a possible capture of a secure screen due to a missing permission check. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. This Missing Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to access resources or perform actions without proper authorization checks.
The web application portal of the Cobham EXPLORER 710, firmware version 1.07, allows unauthenticated access to port 5454. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The web root directory of the Cobham EXPLORER 710, firmware version 1.07, has no access restrictions on downloading and reading all files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The web application portal of the Cobham EXPLORER 710, firmware version 1.07, has no authentication by default. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A security feature bypass exists when Windows Secure Boot improperly restricts access to debugging functionality, aka 'Windows Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability'. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A spoofing vulnerability exists when Microsoft Browsers improperly handle browser cookies, aka 'Microsoft Browser Spoofing Vulnerability'. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows when a man-in-the-middle attacker is able to successfully bypass the NTLMv2 protection if a client is also sending LMv2 responses,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
A spoofing vulnerability exists when Transport Layer Security (TLS) accesses non- Extended Master Secret (EMS) sessions, aka 'Microsoft Windows Transport Layer Security Spoofing Vulnerability'. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Windows 10 Mobile when Cortana allows a user to access files and folders through the locked screen, aka 'Windows 10 Mobile Security Feature Bypass. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 33065