CVE-2025-27935
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass multi-factor authentication in PingFederate OTP Integration Kit by exploiting improper HTTP method and state validation. Attackers can advance authentication states without providing valid OTP codes, compromising MFA protection. Organizations using affected PingFederate versions with OTP Integration Kit are impacted.
💻 Affected Systems
- PingFederate OTP Integration Kit
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete authentication bypass allowing unauthorized access to protected applications and data, potentially leading to account takeover, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Targeted attackers bypass MFA for specific high-value accounts to gain unauthorized access to sensitive applications and data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation, monitoring, and additional authentication layers, though MFA bypass remains possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of authentication flow but no special tools or privileges
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check PingIdentity advisory for specific fixed versions
Vendor Advisory: https://support.pingidentity.com/s/article/SECADV051-PingFederate-OTP-Integration-Kit-authentication-bypass
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review PingIdentity advisory SECADV051. 2. Download and apply the latest patch from PingIdentity downloads. 3. Restart PingFederate services. 4. Verify OTP authentication is properly enforced.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable OTP Integration Kit
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable OTP Integration Kit component until patching is complete
Refer to PingFederate administration guide for component disablement procedures
Implement WAF Rules
allConfigure web application firewall to block suspicious authentication state transitions
Add WAF rules to validate HTTP methods and state parameters in authentication requests
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate PingFederate servers from untrusted networks
- Enhance monitoring for authentication bypass attempts and review authentication logs daily
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test OTP authentication flow by attempting to bypass state validation with modified HTTP requestsCheck Version:
Check PingFederate version via administration console or server logsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify that OTP codes are now properly validated and authentication state cannot be advanced without valid OTP📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Authentication success without OTP validation
- Unusual state parameter values in authentication requests
- Multiple failed OTP attempts followed by successful authentication
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests bypassing OTP validation endpoints
- Unusual authentication request patterns
SIEM Query:
source="pingfederate" AND (event_type="authentication_success" AND otp_validated="false")