Ymir Vigfusson
August 20, 2024
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is viewed as a key component of modern cybersecurity, but it’s far from invincible. As threats evolve, so do the techniques used to bypass even the most robust MFA implementations.
We’ve categorized MFA vulnerabilities based on three main attack vectors:
By understanding these threats, security professionals can better fortify their defenses
and try to stay ahead of potential attackers.
Infrastructure is the bedrock of authentication security. When this foundation cracks, even the strongest MFA implementations crumble. There are important examples on both the client side and the security vendor side that expose the risks to authentication infrastructure and processes.
Compromising the core authentication infrastructure can have catastrophic consequences. One strategy for attackers is to hack and obtain the private signing key (“master key”) that forms the foundation of the “who are you?” chain of trust.
These incidents highlight how a single point of failure can undermine MFA across entire
systems or organizations. By targeting the core authentication infrastructure and platform
vendors, attackers can exploit potentially millions of endpoints.
Sometimes, attackers don’t need to steal keys because they just aim to neutralize the MFA. When MFA infrastructure is offline, defenses are down. Some notable examples include:
These examples show how architectural decisions and configurations can weaken MFA,
even when the core technology appears to be secure.
While infrastructure attacks are sweeping and powerful, they are relatively rare. The real workhorse for attackers are client-side vulnerabilities that offer a way to bypass MFA on a per-person basis. Let’s examine some of these techniques:
Once an attacker gains a foothold on a person’s device, they have several MFA bypass
options:
These token-stealing techniques represent the first line of attack for many cybercriminals. As security measures evolve, attackers also develop more sophisticated methods to bypass MFA.
For example, in April 2022, OAuth tokens issued to Heroku and Travis CI were stolen, leading to unauthorized access to private repositories on GitHub. Attackers exploited these tokens to move laterally within GitHub’s infrastructure, accessing sensitive data from multiple repositories. This breach highlighted the risks associated with overly permissive and long-lived OAuth tokens.
Moving beyond simple token theft, more advanced attacks target trust relationships in the applications themselves. Chief among these are Supply Chain Attacks, compromising software update processes to distribute authentication-altering malware.
The human factor continues to pose a significant vulnerability in MFA systems, making them susceptible to social engineering attacks. Consider the following typical attack chain.
In early 2021, Microsoft Exchange servers were targeted by a sophisticated spearphishing campaign. Attackers exploited vulnerabilities in the Exchange Server software to gain initial access. They then used spear-phishing emails to steal credentials and move laterally within the network, deploying web shells and other malware to maintain persistence and exfiltrate data.
Social engineering attacks like these exploit human security weaknesses in various ways:
If I trust that you are someone else, I may grant you access you should not have. Social engineering, psychologically manipulating human trust, remains a potent tool for bypassing MFA.
These attacks are examples of how taking advantage of human psychology and behavior can defeat even well-designed MFA. But direct deception isn’t the only social engineering tactic attackers use.
Attackers use various methods to manipulate people and systems:
These examples show how attackers can bypass MFA by exploiting processes and people adjacent to the core authentication system. The chain is never stronger than its weakest link.
The list of MFA bypass techniques exposes the fierce and evolving battle between attackers and defenders in cyberspace. While companies have made significant strides in bolstering their defenses against stolen credentials, relying solely on MFA leaves critical vulnerabilities that hackers are quick to exploit. Rather, new attack vectors and vulnerabilities emerge constantly, proving that MFA is not the silver bullet we all wish it would be.
Effective security demands a comprehensive, layered approach. When the authentication infrastructure is bypassed or becomes porous, what compensating controls keep hackers at bay?
Maintaining robust MFA protection requires vigilance and adaptability. Security teams must stay ahead of emerging threats, continuously refine their defenses, and instill a culture of security awareness across the organization.
In cybersecurity, standing still means falling behind: you don’t want to be the slowest zebra in the savannah. As attackers sharpen their tactics, defenders must evolve their strategies. The battle for cybersecurity is ongoing where MFA is an important weapon, but with a layered and proactive approach, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to sophisticated bypass techniques.
Stay proactive, stay informed, and remember: in cybersecurity, there are no silver bullets: you must keep moving forward to stay ahead.
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