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 (37817)
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Coherence product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iSetup product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: General Ledger Update Transform, Reports). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Manager product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: View Reports). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle E-Business Tax product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Legal Entity Configurator product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Create Contracts). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Subledger Accounting product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Inquiries). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Work in Process product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Resource Exceptions). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Site Hub product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Sites). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Advanced Pricing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Price Book). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Quoting product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Courseware). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Labor Distribution product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Sourcing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Intelligence, RFx). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Purchasing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Endeca). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Lease and Finance Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Quotes). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Human Resources product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: iRecruitment). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Payables product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: India Localization, Results). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Projects product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Storage Cloud Software Appliance product of Oracle Storage Gateway (component: Management Console). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Service Contracts product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Authoring). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Project Contracts product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Hold Management). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Advanced Supply Chain Planning product of Oracle Supply Chain (component: Core). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Loans product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Loan Details, Loan Accounting Events). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle CRM Technical Foundation product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Data Source). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Landed Cost Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Shipment Workbench). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Advanced Collections product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Admin). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Universal Work Queue product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Work Provider Site Level Administration). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Database - Enterprise Edition Unified Audit component of Oracle Database Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Outside In Technology product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Outside In Filters). 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: Shopping Cart). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Time and Labor product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Timecard). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle MES for Process Manufacturing product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Process Operations). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle General Ledger product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Account Hierarchy Manager). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Financials Common Modules product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Advanced Global Intercompany). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Transportation Execution product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Install and Upgrade). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java VM component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Enterprise Asset Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Setup). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Installed Base product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: APIs). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Depot Repair product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: LOVs). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Incentive Compensation product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Cash Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Bank Account Transfer). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Information Schema). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle E-Business Intelligence product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: DBI Setups). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Compensation Workbench product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Compensation Workbench). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Receivables product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Receipts). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Bill Presentment Architecture product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Template Search). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise SCM eProcurement product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Manage Requisition Status). 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: Multichannel Framework). 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: Console). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Web Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Quotes). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Email Center product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Message Display). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Database - Enterprise Edition component of Oracle Database Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Quotes). 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 critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Framework product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Home page). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iStore product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Shopping Cart). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Knowledge Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Setup, Admin). 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: Shopping Cart). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Partner Management product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Attribute Admin Setup). 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: Analytics Actions). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iStore product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Shopping Cart). 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: Shopping Cart). 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: Shopping Cart). 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: Shopping Cart). 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: Shopping Cart). 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: Shopping Cart). 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: Shopping Cart). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Document Management and Collaboration product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Attachments). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Database Vault component of Oracle Database Server. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Vulnerability in the Recovery component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Libraries). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Audit Plug-in). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, Oracle GraalVM Enterprise Edition product of Oracle Java SE (component: Libraries). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise CS Campus Community product of Oracle PeopleSoft (component: Frameworks). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: TopLink Integration). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Customers Online product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Customer Tab). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle One-to-One Fulfillment product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Documents). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Internet Expenses product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Mobile Expenses). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), 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 Web General). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iStore product of Oracle E-Business Suite (component: Shopping Cart). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle ZFS Storage Appliance Kit product of Oracle Systems (component: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.5).
Vulnerability in the Oracle ZFS Storage Appliance Kit product of Oracle Systems (component: Installation). Rated low severity (CVSS 1.8).
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Console). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 37817