Authentication and Authorization Flaws

Authentication bypass vulnerabilities in security libraries can undermine entire application security models. When components responsible for verifying user identity contain flaws, attackers can gain unauthorized access regardless of application-level security measures. JWT (JSON Web Token) libraries across multiple languages have suffered vulnerabilities allowing token forgery or bypass. These flaws often involve subtle cryptographic mistakes or logic errors in verification routines.

Session management vulnerabilities in web frameworks create opportunities for session hijacking or privilege escalation. Insufficient randomness in session token generation, predictable tokens, or improper session invalidation can affect all applications using vulnerable framework versions. The impact multiplies when frameworks are widely adopted—a session management flaw in Express.js or Django affects thousands of applications simultaneously.

Authorization vulnerabilities in dependencies often manifest as privilege escalation opportunities. Components that implement role-based access control or permission systems may contain logic flaws allowing unauthorized actions. These vulnerabilities prove particularly insidious because they might only manifest under specific configurations or usage patterns, making them difficult to detect through standard testing. OAuth libraries have experienced such vulnerabilities, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges in integrated applications.