CVE-2025-40552CWE-1390

SolarWinds Web Help Desk Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

Critical · published January 28, 2026

Patch now

High probability of exploitation

CVSS calls it critical at 9.8. It sits in the 99.0th percentile for exploit probability.

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
52%
Percentile
99.0
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 An authentication bypass in SolarWinds Web Help Desk could let attackers perform any action without needing to log in. This is like giving a stranger your house keys because they asked nicely! 🔥 Think of it as a hotel where anyone can enter any room without a keycard — guests can wander in and take whatever they want, completely unchecked. It's absolutely critical to lock that door! If exploited, a malicious actor could execute actions that should require authentication, potentially gaining access to sensitive data or even compromising the entire system. This is a recipe for disaster, as confidential information could be exposed or manipulated at will. Your security is at risk!

Put simply

Think of it as a hotel where anyone can enter any room without a keycard — guests can wander in and take whatever they want, completely unchecked. It's absolutely critical to lock that door! This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, permitting unauthorized actions within the SolarWinds Web Help Desk application. Essentially, it means that authentication checks are not properly enforced, making the system vulnerable to misuse.

What to do

If exploited, a malicious actor could execute actions that should require authentication, potentially gaining access to sensitive data or even compromising the entire system. This is a recipe for disaster, as confidential information could be exposed or manipulated at will. Your security is at risk! Immediate action is crucial! Update to the latest version where this vulnerability has been patched. Review access controls and authentication flows to ensure no further security gaps exist. Don't wait — secure your system now! You've got this! Follow these steps and you'll be a security hero in no time! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.51997 · 99.0th percentile
Weakness
CWE-1390 · Weak Authentication
Published
2026-01-28T07:34Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 28 JAN 07:34Z
    SolarWinds Web Help Desk Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
    cvelistv5