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)
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebLogic Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Console). 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: Workflow). 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: Workflow). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Cruise Fleet Management System component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Gangway Activity Web App). 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: Infrastructure). 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: Infrastructure). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Import/Export). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Integration Broker). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Enterprise Manager Ops Center component of Oracle Enterprise Manager Products Suite (subcomponent: Networking). 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: Infrastructure). 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: JSSE). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Security). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: PIA Search Functionality). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera Unifier component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera Unifier component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera Unifier component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera Unifier component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Core). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera Unifier component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Core). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Web Access). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Web Access). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Web Access). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management component of Oracle Construction and Engineering Suite (subcomponent: Web Access). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Siebel UI Framework component of Oracle Siebel CRM (subcomponent: UIF Open UI). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the BI Publisher component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: BI Publisher Security). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality OPERA 5 Property Services component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Logging). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality OPERA 5 Property Services component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Integration). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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: Print Server). 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: Configuration Manager). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), 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 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 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 JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Tools component of Oracle JD Edwards Products (subcomponent: Web Runtime). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, 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 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 JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Tools component of Oracle JD Edwards Products (subcomponent: Monitoring and Diagnostics). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), 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 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Sun ZFS Storage Appliance Kit (AK) component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: User Interface). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Communications Messaging Server component of Oracle Communications Applications (subcomponent: Web Client). 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: JSF). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle SuperCluster Specific Software component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: SuperCluster Virtual Assistant). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
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 Solaris component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: RAD). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Sun ZFS Storage Appliance Kit (AK) component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: HTTP data path subsystems). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the BI Publisher component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Web Server). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Sun ZFS Storage Appliance Kit (AK) component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Core Services). Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Sun ZFS Storage Appliance Kit (AK) component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: User Interface). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Unified Navigation). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion Data Relationship Management component of Oracle Hyperion (subcomponent: Access and security). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Hyperion Financial Reporting component of Oracle Hyperion (subcomponent: Security Models). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Hardware Management Pack component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Ipmitool). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Sun ZFS Storage Appliance Kit (AK) component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Core Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Communications EAGLE LNP Application Processor component of Oracle Communications Applications (subcomponent: GUI). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), 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 medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the BI Publisher component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Layout Tools). 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: Infrastructure). 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: Infrastructure). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, 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 6.1), 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 medium severity (CVSS 6.1), 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 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Bulk Data Integration component of Oracle Retail Applications (subcomponent: BDI Job Scheduler). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MICROS Retail-J component of Oracle Retail Applications (subcomponent: Back Office). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7).
Vulnerability in the MICROS Retail-J component of Oracle Retail Applications (subcomponent: Interfaces). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Security: Encryption). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Vulnerability in the MySQL Workbench component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Workbench: Security: Encryption). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
An issue was discovered in SDDM through 0.17.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. This Improper Authentication vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
Touchpad / Trivum WebTouch Setup V9 V2.53 build 13163 of Apr 6 2018 09:10:14 (FW 303) allow unauthorized remote attackers to reset the authentication via the "/xml/system/setAttribute.xml" URL, using. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Touchpad / Trivum WebTouch Setup V9 V2.53 build 13163 of Apr 6 2018 09:10:14 (FW 303) allows unauthorized remote attackers to reboot or execute other functions via the "/xml/system/control.xml" URL,. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MusicCenter / Trivum Multiroom Setup Tool V8.76 - SNR 8604.26 - C4 Professional before V9.34 build 13381 - 12.07.18, allow unauthorized remote attackers to reset the authentication via the. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MusicCenter / Trivum Multiroom Setup Tool V8.76 - SNR 8604.26 - C4 Professional allows unauthorized remote attackers to reboot or execute other functions via the "/xml/system/control.xml" URL, using. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The demo feature in Oracle GlassFish Open Source Edition 5.0 has TCP port 7676 open by default with a password of admin for the admin account. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Norton App Lock prior to v1.3.0.332 can be susceptible to a bypass exploit. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the detection engine of Cisco FireSIGHT System Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass a URL-based access control policy that is configured to block. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the detection engine of Cisco FireSIGHT System Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass a file policy that is configured to block the transfer of files to. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The 8840 Clinician Programmer executes the application program from the 8870 Application Card. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
RSA Identity Lifecycle and Governance versions 7.0.1, 7.0.2 and 7.1.0 contains an authorization bypass vulnerability within the workflow architect component (ACM). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Juniper Networks Contrail Service Orchestration releases prior to 3.3.0 use hardcoded credentials to access Keystone service. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Juniper Networks Contrail Service Orchestrator versions prior to 4.0.0 use hardcoded cryptographic certificates and keys in some cases, which may allow network based attackers to gain unauthorized. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Juniper Networks Contrail Service Orchestration releases prior to 4.0.0 have Grafana service enabled by default with hardcoded credentials. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Juniper Networks Contrail Service Orchestration releases prior to 3.3.0 have Cassandra service enabled by default with hardcoded credentials. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In Universal Robots Robot Controllers Version CB 3.1, SW Version 3.4.5-100, ports 30001/TCP to 30003/TCP listen for arbitrary URScript code and execute the code. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Universal Robots Robot Controllers Version CB 3.1, SW Version 3.4.5-100 utilizes hard-coded credentials that may allow an attacker to reset passwords for the controller. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when Microsoft .NET Framework components do not correctly validate certificates, aka ".NET Framework Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability." This. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A Security Feature Bypass vulnerability exists in MSR JavaScript Cryptography Library that is caused by incorrect arithmetic computations, aka "MSR JavaScript Cryptography Library Security Feature. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when Microsoft WordPad improperly handles embedded OLE objects, aka "WordPad Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability." This affects Windows 7, Windows. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A spoofing vulnerability exists when Microsoft Edge improperly handles specific HTML content, aka "Microsoft Edge Spoofing Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Edge. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Chakra scripting engine that allows Control Flow Guard (CFG) to be bypassed, aka "Scripting Engine Security Feature Bypass. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when Skype for Business or Lync do not properly parse UNC path links shared via messages, aka "Skype for Business and Lync Security Feature Bypass. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in Device Guard that could allow an attacker to inject malicious code into a Windows PowerShell session, aka "Device Guard Code Integrity Policy. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
A Security Feature Bypass vulnerability exists in ASP.NET when the number of incorrect login attempts is not validated, aka "ASP.NET Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability." This affects ASP.NET,. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This Improper Authentication vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists when Microsoft Internet Explorer improperly handles requests involving UNC resources, aka "Internet Explorer Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability.". 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
- 37878