CVE-2023-46249 authentik potential installation takeover when default admin user is deleted
Attackers can reset the default admin password and take over the system if the initial admin user is deleted, exposing the identity provider to unauthorized control.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2023-46249?
CVE-2023-46249 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in goauthentik authentik, published on 31 Oct 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
authentik is an open-source Identity Provider. Prior to versions 2023.8.4 and 2023.10.2, when the default admin user has been deleted, it is potentially possible for an attacker to set the password of the default admin user without any authentication. authentik uses a blueprint to create the default admin user, which can also optionally set the default admin users' password from an environment variable. When the user is deleted, the `initial-setup` flow used to configure authentik after the first installation becomes available again. authentik 2023.8.4 and 2023.10.2 fix this issue. As a workaround, ensure the default admin user (Username `akadmin`) exists and has a password set. It is recommended to use a very strong password for this user, and store it in a secure location like a password manager. It is also possible to deactivate the user to prevent any logins as akadmin.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-46249?
1 open source package ship an affected version, including authentik. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
authentik Bitnami | All versions | 2023.8.4, 2023.10.2 |
Products include Goauthentik Authentik.
How do I fix CVE-2023-46249?
Upgrade authentik to a fixed version for your release line: 2023.8.4 or 2023.10.2.
Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.
Is CVE-2023-46249 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-46249 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in goauthentik authentik
- CVE-2026-49448 authentik: SourceStage bypass via empty POST
- CVE-2022-23555 authentik vulnerable to Improper Authentication via invitation URL token reuse
- CVE-2026-42849 authentik: Reflected XSS in SFE AutosubmitStage allows IDP account takeover
- CVE-2026-25227 authentik affected by Remote Code Execution via Context Key Injection in PropertyMapping Test Endpoint
- CVE-2024-47070 authentik vulnerable to password authentication bypass via X-Forwarded-For HTTP header
Sources
Also known as BIT-authentik-2023-46249, GHSA-rjvp-29xq-f62w.