CVE-2026-72537: CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management in Authentik Security authentik
A privilege escalation vulnerability in Authentik Security authentik through 2026.5.6 allows an attacker with a source-scoped SCIM provisioning token to take over any user account including superusers by provisioning a SCIM user that matches an existing local user by username. The SCIM user ingest function adopts pre-existing local accounts by username without validating scope boundaries. An attacker can rewrite or delete any account, including the superuser, using only a limited provisioning credential.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in authentik through version 2026.5.6 involves improper privilege management (CWE-269) where the SCIM provisioning process does not enforce scope boundaries when ingesting users. An attacker with a source-scoped SCIM provisioning token can provision a SCIM user that matches an existing local username, thereby taking over that account, including superusers. The SCIM ingest function incorrectly adopts pre-existing local accounts by username without validating the token's scope, allowing rewriting or deletion of accounts with limited credentials.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with limited SCIM provisioning credentials to escalate privileges by taking over any user account, including superusers. This results in full control over the authentik system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or temporary mitigation has been documented at this time. Until a patch is available, restrict SCIM provisioning token issuance and monitor provisioning activities closely to limit exposure.
CVE-2026-72537: CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management in Authentik Security authentik
Description
A privilege escalation vulnerability in Authentik Security authentik through 2026.5.6 allows an attacker with a source-scoped SCIM provisioning token to take over any user account including superusers by provisioning a SCIM user that matches an existing local user by username. The SCIM user ingest function adopts pre-existing local accounts by username without validating scope boundaries. An attacker can rewrite or delete any account, including the superuser, using only a limited provisioning credential.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability in authentik through version 2026.5.6 involves improper privilege management (CWE-269) where the SCIM provisioning process does not enforce scope boundaries when ingesting users. An attacker with a source-scoped SCIM provisioning token can provision a SCIM user that matches an existing local username, thereby taking over that account, including superusers. The SCIM ingest function incorrectly adopts pre-existing local accounts by username without validating the token's scope, allowing rewriting or deletion of accounts with limited credentials.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with limited SCIM provisioning credentials to escalate privileges by taking over any user account, including superusers. This results in full control over the authentik system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or temporary mitigation has been documented at this time. Until a patch is available, restrict SCIM provisioning token issuance and monitor provisioning activities closely to limit exposure.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- TuranSec
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-10T10:32:49.080Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7b0702bf8831d539a0cbeb
Added to database: 08/11/2026, 11:26:58 UTC
Last enriched: 08/11/2026, 11:44:13 UTC
Last updated: 08/11/2026, 18:54:42 UTC
Views: 6
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