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Authentication Bypass

Lab: DVWA
Scenario: Authentication Bypass
Difficulty: Intermediate
Estimated Time: 35 minutes

Learning Objectives​

By the end of this scenario, you will be able to:

  • Identify authentication vulnerabilities
  • Understand session management flaws
  • Exploit authentication bypass techniques
  • Implement secure authentication controls

Setup​

Prerequisites​

  • DVWA lab running at CSN Labs
  • Web browser (Chrome/Firefox recommended)
  • Security level set to "Low"

Initial Configuration​

  1. Log into DVWA
  2. Set security level to "Low"
  3. Navigate to "Brute Force" or authentication-related module

Scenario Story​

You are testing a web application's authentication mechanism. The application may have weaknesses in how it handles login, sessions, or access control. Your goal is to identify and exploit these vulnerabilities.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough​

This scenario walkthrough will be completed with detailed steps.

Why This Works​

Authentication bypass can occur through:

  • Weak password policies
  • SQL injection in login forms
  • Session management flaws
  • Predictable session tokens
  • Insufficient access controls

Defender Notes​

How to Detect​

  • Monitor for unusual authentication patterns
  • Track failed login attempts
  • Analyze session token generation
  • Review access control implementations

How to Prevent​

  1. Strong Authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication
  2. Secure Session Management: Use cryptographically secure session tokens
  3. Rate Limiting: Limit login attempts to prevent brute force
  4. Proper Access Controls: Implement role-based access control (RBAC)

Try These Variations​

Easy​

  • Test for SQL injection in login
  • Attempt basic brute force attacks

Medium​

  • Test session fixation
  • Attempt to hijack sessions

Hard​

  • Try advanced authentication bypass techniques
  • Test for privilege escalation

Evidence Checklist​

Capture screenshots of:

  • Authentication form
  • Successful bypass attempt
  • Session tokens or cookies
  • Unauthorized access demonstration

Next Steps​