CVE-2026-40172
published 2026-05-22CVE-2026-40172: 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…
PriorityP354high8.1CVSS 3.1
AVNACLPRLUINSUCNIHAH
EPSS
0.39%
31.0th percentile
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.
Affected
2 ranges
| Vendor | Product | Version range | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| goauthentik | authentik | < 2025.12.5 | 2025.12.5 |
| goauthentik | authentik | — | — |
CVSS provenance
nvdv3.18.1HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
cvelistv5v3.18.1HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
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VulDB
goauthentik up to 2025.12.4/2026.2.2 /api/v3/core/users/ change_user privileges management (GHSA-h6x7-hjjc-wjc9)
vuldb·2026-05-23
CVE-2026-40172 [CRITICAL] goauthentik up to 2025.12.4/2026.2.2 /api/v3/core/users/ change_user privileges management (GHSA-h6x7-hjjc-wjc9)
A vulnerability was found in goauthentik authentik up to 2025.12.4/2026.2.2. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function change_user of the file /api/v3/core/users/. Executing a manipulation can lead to improper privilege management.
This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-40172. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available.
It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
CVEList
authentik: Privilege Escalation via User PATCH: Superuser Group Assignment Bypasses enable_group_superuser
cvelistv5·2026-05-22·CVSS 8.1
CVE-2026-40172 [HIGH] CWE-269 authentik: Privilege Escalation via User PATCH: Superuser Group Assignment Bypasses enable_group_superuser
authentik: Privilege Escalation via User PATCH: Superuser Group Assignment Bypasses enable_group_superuser
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 permiss
No detection rules found.
No public exploits indexed.
No writeups or analysis indexed.
2026-05-22
Published