authentik: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-25748 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in authentik from Goauthentik, 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. Affected authentik versions: >= 2025.10.0-rc1, < 2025.10.4; >= 2025.10.0-rc1, < 2025.12.4. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.67% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of authentik you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goauthentik | authentik | >= 2025.10.0-rc1, < 2025.10.4; >= 2025.10.0-rc1, < 2025.12.4 | Not stated |
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 NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
authentik is an open-source identity provider. Prior to 2025.10.4 and 2025.12.4, with a malformed cookie it was possible to bypass authentication when using forward authentication in the authentik Proxy Provider when used in conjunction with Traefik or Caddy as reverse proxy. When a malicious cookie was used, none of the authentik-specific X-Authentik-* headers were set which depending on application can grant access to an attacker. authentik 2025.10.4 and 2025.12.4 fix this issue.
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: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/goauthentik/authentik/releases/tag/version%2F2025.10.4Product, Release Notes
- github.com/goauthentik/authentik/releases/tag/version%2F2025.12.4Product, Release Notes
Other vulnerabilities in authentik
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.9 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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