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Vulnerability record · CVE-2023-46249 · published 31 October 2023

CVE-2023-46249: Goauthentik authentik improper authentication vulnerability

Goauthentik · Authentik

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.

9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical EPSS 0.65% · top 50.7% CWE-287 · Improper authenticationCWE-306 · Missing authentication for critical function
9.8CVSS 3.1 base score
0.65%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
10References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

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.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/commit/261879022d25016d58867cf1f24e90b81ad618d0 Patch
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/commit/ea75741ec22ecef34bc7073f1163e17a8a2bf9fc Patch
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/releases/tag/version%2F2023.10.2 Release Notes
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/releases/tag/version%2F2023.8.4 Release Notes
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/security/advisories/GHSA-rjvp-29xq-f62w Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/commit/261879022d25016d58867cf1f24e90b81ad618d0 Patch
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/commit/ea75741ec22ecef34bc7073f1163e17a8a2bf9fc Patch
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/releases/tag/version%2F2023.10.2 Release Notes
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/releases/tag/version%2F2023.8.4 Release Notes
https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik/security/advisories/GHSA-rjvp-29xq-f62w Vendor Advisory

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2023-46249), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.