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 (33250)
Vulnerability in the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management component of Oracle Primavera Products Suite (subcomponent: Web Access). Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Security: Encryption). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Error Handling). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0).
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). 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: Server: MyISAM). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7).
Vulnerability in the Application Testing Suite component of Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control (subcomponent: Test Manager for Web Apps). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle XML Gateway component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Oracle Transport Agent). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Solaris component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Kernel). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
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 PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: PIA Core Technology). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), 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: Framework). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Filters ). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Integration Broker). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iStore 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 Oracle Applications DBA component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Patching). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Service Fulfillment Manager 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 Oracle Service Fulfillment Manager 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 Oracle Partner Management component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: User Interface). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Partner Management component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: User Interface). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Partner Management component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: User Interface). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Partner Management component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: User Interface). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Leads Management 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 Oracle One-to-One Fulfillment component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Request Confirmation). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Applications Manager component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: OAM Client). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Exposure of Sensitive Information vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive data that should not be disclosed.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Email Center 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 Oracle Email Center 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 Oracle Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Filters ). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Packaging). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.6).
Vulnerability in the Siebel UI Framework component of Oracle Siebel CRM (subcomponent: Open UI). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management component of Oracle Primavera Products Suite (subcomponent: Team Member). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Java Mission Control). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Networking). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Deployment). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: JAAS). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle GlassFish Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Application Object Library component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Patching). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Solaris component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Kernel). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Mobile Application Platform). 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: Java Mission Control). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle One-to-One Fulfillment component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Internal Operations). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Core Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Core Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Enterprise Limits and Collateral Management component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Investor Servicing component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Investor Servicing component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Unit Trust). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Investor Servicing component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Investor Servicing component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Infrastructure Code). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Core Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Private Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Product / Instrument Search). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Investor Servicing component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Private Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Product / Instrument Search). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Investor Servicing component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Private Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Product / Instrument Search). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Private Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Product / Instrument Search). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Private Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Product / Instrument Search). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Private Banking component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Product / Instrument Search). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Networking). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Libraries). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Libraries). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Libraries). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Investor Servicing component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Samsung KNOX 1.0.0 uses the shared certificate on Android, which allows local users to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks as demonstrated by installing a certificate and running a VPN service. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Privilege escalation vulnerability in Lenovo Transition application used in Lenovo Yoga, Flex and Miix systems running Windows allows local users to execute code with elevated privileges. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the content scanning engine of Cisco AsyncOS Software for Cisco Email Security Appliances (ESA) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass configured message or. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Cisco WebEx Meetings Server could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct arbitrary password changes against any non-administrative user. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
popd in bash might allow local users to bypass the restricted shell and cause a use-after-free via a crafted address. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Joomla!. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Ubiquiti Networks UniFi 5.2.7 does not restrict access to the database, which allows remote attackers to modify the database by directly connecting to it. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
ZOHO WebNMS Framework 5.2 and 5.2 SP1 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and impersonate arbitrary users via the UserName HTTP header. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 70.3%.
The Debian initrd script for the cryptsetup package 2:1.7.3-2 and earlier allows physically proximate attackers to gain shell access via many log in attempts with an invalid password. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Avaya Fabric Connect Virtual Services Platform (VSP) Operating System Software (VOSS) before 4.2.3.0 and 5.x before 5.0.1.0 does not properly handle VLAN and I-SIS indexes, which allows remote. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The uglify-js package before 2.4.24 for Node.js does not properly account for non-boolean values when rewriting boolean expressions, which might allow attackers to bypass security mechanisms or. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Vivint Sky Control Panel 1.1.1.9926 allows remote attackers to enable and disable the alarm system and modify other security settings via the Web-enabled interface. 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 ABOOT in OnePlus 3 and 3T OxygenOS before 4.0.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Information Disclosure can occur in encryptionProfiles.jsd in Hitek Software's Automize because of the Read attribute being set for Users. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Information Disclosure can occur in Hitek Software's Automize 10.x and 11.x passManager.jsd. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
In Moodle 2.x and 3.x, non-admin site managers may accidentally edit admins via web services. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
In Moodle 2.x and 3.x, the question engine allows access to files that should not be available. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Firejail 0.9.38.4 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands outside of the sandbox via a crafted TIOCSTI ioctl call. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
sociomantic-tsunami git-hub before 0.10.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted repository name. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
sociomantic-tsunami git-hub before 0.10.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted repository URL. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 33250