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 (37879)
The web application backup file in the TP-Link EAP Controller and Omada Controller versions 2.5.4_Windows/2.6.0_Windows is encrypted with a hard-coded cryptographic key, so anyone who knows that key. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Shanghai 2345 Security Guard 3.7.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Cisco Meeting Server could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to components of, or sensitive information in, an affected system, leading to. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Central Web Authentication (CWA) with FlexConnect Access Points (APs) for Cisco Aironet 1560, 1810, 1810w, 1815, 1830, 1850, 2800, and 3800 Series APs could allow an authenticated,. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Web Authentication (WebAuth) clients for the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) and Aironet Access Points running Cisco IOS Software could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.7), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the assignment and management of default user accounts for Secure Shell (SSH) access to Cisco Aironet 1800, 2800, and 3800 Series Access Points that are running Cisco Mobility. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered on WatchGuard AP100, AP102, and AP200 devices with firmware before 1.2.9.15, and AP300 devices with firmware before 2.0.0.10. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
On an F5 BIG-IP 13.0.0-13.1.0.5, 12.1.0-12.1.3.1, or 11.2.1-11.6.3.1 system configured in Appliance mode, the TMOS Shell (tmsh) may allow an administrative user to use the dig utility to gain. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
Meross MSS110 devices before 1.1.24 contain a TELNET listener providing access for an undocumented admin account with a blank password. 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.
Meross MSS110 devices through 1.1.24 contain an unauthenticated admin.htm administrative interface. 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.
Due to the lack of firmware authentication in the upgrade process of T&W WIFI Repeater BE126 devices, an attacker can craft a malicious firmware and use it as an update. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An SSRF issue was discovered in NmAPI.exe in Ipswitch WhatsUp Gold before 2018 (18.0). 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 on WatchGuard AP100, AP102, and AP200 devices with firmware before 1.2.9.15. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered on WatchGuard AP100, AP102, and AP200 devices with firmware before 1.2.9.15. 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.
In Dell EMC Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance versions prior to 8.4.0.8, Dell EMC Solutions Enabler Virtual Appliance versions prior to 8.4.0.8, Dell EMC VASA Provider Virtual Appliance versions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
interface/fax/fax_dispatch.php in OpenEMR before 5.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via the scan parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
interface/patient_file/letter.php in OpenEMR before 5.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via the newtemplatename and form_body parameters. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
IBM API Connect 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.8.2 is impacted by generated LoopBack APIs for a Model using the BelongsTo/HasMany relationship allowing unauthorized modification of information. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Shanghai 2345 Security Guard 3.7.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
NetApp OnCommand Unified Manager for Linux versions 7.2 though 7.3 ship with the Java Debug Wire Protocol (JDWP) enabled which allows unauthorized local attackers to execute arbitrary code. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Vaultize Enterprise File Sharing 17.05.31. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Vaultize Enterprise File Sharing 17.05.31. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in Vaultize Enterprise File Sharing 17.05.31. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
glusterfs server before versions 3.10.12, 4.0.2 is vulnerable when using 'auth.allow' option which allows any unauthenticated gluster client to connect from any network to mount gluster storage. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An issue was discovered in phpLiteAdmin 1.9.5 through 1.9.7.1. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Huawei AppGallery versions before 8.0.4.301 has an arbitrary Javascript running vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Huawei AppGallery versions before 8.0.4.301 has a whitelist mechanism bypass vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Momentum Axel 720P 5.1.8 devices have a hardcoded password of streaming for the appagent account, which allows remote attackers to view the RTSP video stream. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The MessageSearch2 function in PersonalMessage.php in Simple Machines Forum (SMF) before 2.0.15 does not properly use the possible_users variable in a query, which might allow attackers to bypass. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An authentication bypass flaw has been found in PackageKit before 1.1.10 that allows users without administrator privileges to install signed packages. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Ericsson-LG iPECS NMS A.1Ac web application uses incorrect access control mechanisms. 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.
VMware Horizon DaaS (7.x before 8.0.0) contains a broken authentication vulnerability that may allow an attacker to bypass two-factor authentication. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the detection engine of Cisco Firepower System Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass configured file action policies if an Intelligent Application. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the detection engine of Cisco Firepower System Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass a configured file action policy to drop the Server Message 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 Firepower System Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass a configured file action policy that is intended to drop the. 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 role-based resource checking functionality of the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Director could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to view unauthorized information. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the file type detection mechanism of the Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Endpoints macOS Connector could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass malware. 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 Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Virtual Private Network (VPN) Client Certificate Authentication feature for Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) could allow an unauthenticated,. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM Shared Components component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Notepad). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), 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: Logging). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle General Ledger component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Account Hierarchy Manager). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle General Ledger component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Account Hierarchy Manager). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Human Resources component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: General Utilities). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Human Resources component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: General Utilities). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Human Resources component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: General Utilities). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Human Resources component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: General Utilities). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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: Diagnostics). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle General Ledger component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Consolidation Hierarchy Viewer). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle General Ledger component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: Consolidation Hierarchy Viewer). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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: Diagnostics). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), 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: API frameworks). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Point-of-Service component of Oracle Retail Applications (subcomponent: User Interface). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Financial Services Basel Regulatory Capital Internal Ratings Based Approach component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Portfolio, Attribution). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), 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 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Financial Services Basel Regulatory Capital Internal Ratings Based Approach component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Portfolio, Attribution). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Financial Services Basel Regulatory Capital Basic component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Portfolio, Attribution). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Financial Services Basel Regulatory Capital Basic component of Oracle Financial Services Applications (subcomponent: Portfolio, Attribution). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony First Edition component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Operations, Client Application Loader). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Guest Access component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Base). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony First Edition component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Enterprise Management Console). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), 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 high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony First Edition component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Client Application Loader). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony First Edition component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Operations). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Service component of Oracle Retail Applications (subcomponent: Xstore Office). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PRTL Interaction Hub component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: EPPCM_HIER_TOP). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Enterprise Management Console). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle GoldenGate component of Oracle GoldenGate. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox component of Oracle Virtualization (subcomponent: Core). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Enterprise Management Console). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Content component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Content Server). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Suite8 component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Profile). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Enterprise Management Console). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Transportation Management component of Oracle Supply Chain Products Suite (subcomponent: Database). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Solaris Cluster component of Oracle Sun Systems Products Suite (subcomponent: Cluster Geo). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Rich Text Editor). 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: Fluid Core). 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: DDL). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: Fluid Homepage & Navigation). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.3), 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: Securities). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), 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 Application Object Library component of Oracle E-Business Suite (subcomponent: DB Privileges). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Reporting and Analytics component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Report). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Hospitality Simphony component of Oracle Hospitality Applications (subcomponent: Client Application Loader). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle Outside In Technology component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Outside In Image Export SDK). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: RMI). Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the PeopleSoft Enterprise PT PeopleTools component of Oracle PeopleSoft Products (subcomponent: PsAdmin). Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.2), this vulnerability is 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 3.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Sites component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Advanced UI). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Security). Rated low severity (CVSS 3.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required.
Vulnerability in the Siebel Core - Server Framework component of Oracle Siebel CRM (subcomponent: Services). Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- auth
- Total CVEs
- 37879