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 (37878)
RSA Archer, versions prior to 6.4.0.1, contain an authorization bypass vulnerability in the REST API. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cloud Foundry UAA, versions 4.19 prior to 4.19.2 and 4.12 prior to 4.12.4 and 4.10 prior to 4.10.2 and 4.7 prior to 4.7.6 and 4.5 prior to 4.5.7, incorrectly authorizes requests to admin endpoints by. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Echelon SmartServer 1 all versions, SmartServer 2 all versions prior to release 4.11.007, i.LON 100 all versions, and i.LON 600 all versions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Wizkunde SAMLBase may incorrectly utilize the results of XML DOM traversal and canonicalization APIs in such a way that an attacker may be able to manipulate the SAML data without invalidating the. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Navarino Infinity is prone to session fixation attacks. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
CloudForms Management Engine (cfme) is vulnerable to an improper security setting in the dRuby component of CloudForms. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Suricata before 4.0.5 stops TCP stream inspection upon a TCP RST from a server. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
A Improper authorization vulnerability exists in Jenkins 2.132 and earlier, 2.121.1 and earlier in SlaveComputer.java that allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to initiate agent launches,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
A Improper authorization vulnerability exists in Jenkins 2.132 and earlier, 2.121.1 and earlier in Queue.java that allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to cancel queued builds. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. This Incorrect Authorization vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authorization checks to access restricted resources.
A unauthorized modification of configuration vulnerability exists in Jenkins 2.132 and earlier, 2.121.1 and earlier in User.java that allows attackers to provide crafted login credentials that cause. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Adobe Connect versions 9.7.5 and earlier have an Authentication Bypass vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Read-Only User Effect Change vulnerability in the Policy Builder interface of Cisco Policy Suite could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to make policy changes in the Policy Builder. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Open Systems Gateway initiative (OSGi) interface of Cisco Policy Suite before 18.1.0 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to directly connect to the OSGi interface. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Policy Builder interface of Cisco Policy Suite before 18.2.0 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access the Policy Builder interface. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Cluster Manager of Cisco Policy Suite before 18.2.0 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to log in to an affected system using the root account, which has default,. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Policy Builder database of Cisco Policy Suite before 18.2.0 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to connect directly to the Policy Builder database. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the configuration and management service of the Cisco SD-WAN Solution could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with vmanage user privileges or cause. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle SOA Suite component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Health Care FastPath). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Filters). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Portal component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Portlet Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Business Process Management Suite component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Process Analysis & Discovery). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), 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 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 6.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: DDL). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise CS Financial Aid component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: ISIR Processing). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft HRMS component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Candidate Gateway). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Agile Product Lifecycle Management for Process component of Oracle Supply Chain Products Suite (subcomponent: Installation). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Human Resources component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Compensation). 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: Options). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: MyISAM). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), 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 4.3), 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: Infrastructure). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Corporate Lending component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core module). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), 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: Infrastructure). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Corporate Lending component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core module). 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: Infrastructure). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Corporate Lending component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core module). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Enterprise Limits and Collateral Management component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Infrastructure). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Corporate Lending component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core module). 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: Infrastructure). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Corporate Lending component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Core module). 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: Infrastructure). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle FLEXCUBE Investor Servicing component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Infrastructure). 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). 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: Infrastructure). 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). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Payments component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Payments Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Payments component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Payments Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Payments component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Payments Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Payments component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Payments Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Banking Payments component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Payments Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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: Infrastructure). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iStore component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Shopping Cart). 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: Preferences). 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: Integration Broker). 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: Infrastructure). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality OPERA 5 Property Services component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Reports). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality OPERA 5 Property Services component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Report Server Config). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade 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 Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Filters). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), 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 7.1), 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 Oracle Tuxedo component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Tools component of Oracle JD Edwards Products (subcomponent: Web Runtime). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java VM component of Oracle Database Server. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Cruise Fleet Management System component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Fleet Management System Suite). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Cruise Fleet Management System component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Fleet Management System Suite). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Cruise Shipboard Property Management System component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: SPMS Suite). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Cruise Shipboard Property Management System component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: SPMS Suite). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Tools component of Oracle JD Edwards Products (subcomponent: Web Runtime). 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: SAML). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Scripting component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Script Author). 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: Oracle Diagnostics Interfaces). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iStore component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Shopping Cart). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iStore component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Shopping Cart). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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: Preferences). 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 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Trade 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 PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Integration Broker). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle iLearning component of Oracle iLearning (subcomponent: Learner Administration). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Marketing component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Products). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 37878