zitadel: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-105212 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in zitadel, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 4.16.2, 3.4.14 as the first without the flaw, so updating zitadel to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.32% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update zitadel to 4.16.2 or 3.4.14, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zitadel | zitadel | 4.0.0 up to, but not including, 4.16.2; before 3.4.14 | 4.16.2, 3.4.14 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
ZITADEL 3.x before 3.4.14 and 4.x before 4.16.2 contains an authentication bypass in the hosted Login V1 and Login V2 UIs that accepts passkey or other authenticator enrollment on identify-only login sessions, before any primary factor is verified. Unauthenticated attackers knowing only a victim's login name can register an attacker-controlled authenticator and log in as that user, bypassing existing passwords and MFA.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in zitadel
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
Ahsay AhsayCBS Improper Authentication Exploited
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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