Go to homepageCyberStrike

Menu

Star on GitHub · 3.2k
Sign inDownload

CVE-2026-40172

8.1 · HIGH

authentik is an open-source identity provider.

Published May 22, 2026CWE-269EPSS 0.72%

Overview

CVE-2026-40172 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on May 22, 2026 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1, rated HIGH. It can be exploited remotely over the network. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

Technical description

authentik is an open-source identity provider. In versions prior to 2025.12.5 and 2026.2.0-rc1 through 2026.2.2, the PATCH /api/v3/core/users/{pk}/ API allows a caller with change_user on a target user to assign arbitrary groups through UserSerializer, including groups with is_superuser=True, without requiring enable_group_superuser, leading to privilege escalation. This bypasses the stricter permission model enforced in group-management paths and enables delegated user-management permissions to escalate target users to administrator-equivalent privilege. Users with permissions to update groups or permissions to update users are able to add themselves or other users they have permissions on to users which have superuser permissions. This issue has been fixed in versions 22025.12.5 and 2026.2.3.

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

References

GitHubgithub.com/goauthentik/authentik/releases/tag/version%2F2025.12.5GitHubgithub.com/goauthentik/authentik/releases/tag/version%2F2026.2.3GitHubgithub.com/goauthentik/authentik/security/advisories/GHSA-h6x7-hjjc-wjc9

How CyberStrike helps

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-40172?

CVE-2026-40172 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on May 22, 2026 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2026-40172?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1, rated HIGH. It can be exploited remotely over the network. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2026-40172?

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2026-40172?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2026-40172 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

Related HIGH CVEs from 2026

View all
Browse by year2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999