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 (33129)
Insufficient sanitization of arguments passed to rsync can bypass the restrictions imposed by rssh, a restricted shell that should restrict users to perform only rsync operations, resulting in the. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An session fixation vulnerability exists in Jenkins GitHub Authentication Plugin 0.29 and earlier in GithubSecurityRealm.java that allows unauthorized attackers to impersonate another user if they. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A sandbox bypass vulnerability exists in Jenkins Groovy Plugin 2.0 and earlier in src/main/java/hudson/plugins/groovy/StringScriptSource.java that allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
WebAccess/SCADA, Version 8.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
WebAccess/SCADA, Version 8.3. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in /bin/goahead on D-Link DIR-823G devices with firmware 1.02B03. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in /bin/goahead on D-Link DIR-823G devices with the firmware 1.02B03. 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.
Chamilo Chamilo-lms version 1.11.8 and earlier contains an Incorrect Access Control vulnerability in Tickets component that can result in an authenticated user can read all tickets available on the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), 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.
In NetKit through 0.17, rcp.c in the rcp client allows remote rsh servers to bypass intended access restrictions via the filename of . Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in FileChucker 4.99e-free-e02. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue has been found in PowerDNS Recursor versions 4.1.x before 4.1.9 where records in the answer section of responses received from authoritative servers with the AA flag not set were not. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue has been found in PowerDNS Recursor versions after 4.1.3 before 4.1.9 where Lua hooks are not properly applied to queries received over TCP in some specific combination of settings, possibly. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Exploitation of Privilege/Trust vulnerability in Microsoft Windows client in McAfee Total Protection (MTP) Prior to 16.0.R18 allows local users to bypass product self-protection, tamper with policies. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Cisco AMP Threat Grid could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to access sensitive information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV320 and RV325 Dual Gigabit WAN VPN Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to retrieve sensitive. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Cisco SD-WAN Solution could allow an authenticated, adjacent attacker to bypass authentication and have direct unauthorized access to other vSmart containers. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Exploitation of Authentication vulnerability in MVision Endpoint in McAfee MVision Endpoint Prior to 1811 Update 1 (18.11.31.62) allows authenticated administrator users --> administrators to Remove. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Teradata Viewpoint before 14.0 and 16.20.00.02-b80 contains a hardcoded password of TDv1i2e3w4 for the viewpoint database account (in viewpoint-portal\conf\server.xml) that could potentially be. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Crestron AM-100 before firmware version 1.6.0.2 contains an authentication bypass in the web interface's return.cgi script. 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.
Premisys Identicard version 3.1.190 stores backup files as encrypted zip files. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Premisys Identicard version 3.1.190 stores user credentials and other sensitive information with a known weak encryption method (MD5 hash of a salt and password). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Premisys Identicard version 3.1.190 contains hardcoded credentials in the WCF service on port 9003. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Direct Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Logoff Page). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Direct Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Logoff Page). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Manager component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: SQL Extensions). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Kernel). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Kernel). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java Advanced Management Console component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Server). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Managed File Transfer component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: MFT Runtime Server). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Replication). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server : Security : Privileges). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.6).
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise SCM eProcurement component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Manage Requisition Status). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Shell). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.5).
Vulnerability in the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Web Access). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Connection Handling). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4).
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: PIA Search Functionality). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Partner Management component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Partner Dash board). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle CRM Technical Foundation component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Messages). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle CRM Technical Foundation component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Messages). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise CS Campus Community component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Frameworks). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Email Center component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Message Display). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Email Center component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Message Display). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Panel Processor). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle One-to-One Fulfillment component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: OCM Query). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle CRM Technical Foundation component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Session Management). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Transportation Management component of Oracle Supply Chain Products Suite (subcomponent: UI Infrastructure). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Mobile Field Service component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Administration). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Portal). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Partner Management component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Partner Detail). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Filters). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Filters). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Filters). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Performance Management component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Performance Management Plan). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Partner Management component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Partner Detail). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Content Manager component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Cover Letter). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Fluid Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Application Container - JavaEE). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Marketing component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Portal). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Web Cache component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: ESI/Partial Page Caching). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Connectors component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Connector/Python). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Argus Safety component of Oracle Health Sciences Applications (subcomponent: Login). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Argus Safety component of Oracle Health Sciences Applications (subcomponent: Console). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Argus Safety component of Oracle Health Sciences Applications (subcomponent: Console). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Portal component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: WebCenter Spaces Application). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Networking). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Reporting and Analytics component of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: PIA Search). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Libraries). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM eProfile Manager Desktop component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Guided Self Service). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise CC Common Application Objects component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Form and Approval Builder). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Performance Monitor). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Cruise Shipboard Property Management System component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: DGS RES Online, FMS Sender, FMS Receiver, OHC WPF. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Feeds). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), 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 medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Portal). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony component of Oracle Food and Beverage Applications. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 33129