CVE-2025-61928
Published: 09 October 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-61928 is a critical-severity Improper Authorization (CWE-285) vulnerability. Its CVSS base score is 9.3 (Critical).
Operationally, ranked at the 42.6th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-33660
Vulnerability details
Better Auth is an authentication and authorization library for TypeScript. In versions prior to 1.3.26, unauthenticated attackers can create or modify API keys for any user by passing that user's id in the request body to the `api/auth/api-key/create` route. `session?.user…
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?? (authRequired ? null : { id: ctx.body.userId })`. When no session exists but `userId` is present in the request body, `authRequired` becomes false and the user object is set to the attacker-controlled ID. Server-only field validation only executes when `authRequired` is true (lines 280-295), allowing attackers to set privileged fields. No additional authentication occurs before the database operation, so the malicious payload is accepted. The same pattern exists in the update endpoint. This is a critical authentication bypass enabling full an unauthenticated attacker can generate an API key for any user and immediately gain complete authenticated access. This allows the attacker to perform any action as the victim user using the api key, potentially compromise the user data and the application depending on the victim's privileges. Version 1.3.26 contains a patch for the issue.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Requiring identification and rationale for actions allowed without authentication ensures critical functions are not left unprotected by forcing review of authentication requirements.
Mandating explicit authorization of mobile device connections reduces the risk of improper authorization decisions for system access.
Ensures authorization decisions are always performed by a complete and analyzable reference monitor.
Auditing session actions allows identification of improper authorization decisions and enforcement failures.
The process verifies authorization mechanisms function as intended before system approval.
By limiting enabled features to only those needed, the control strengthens authorization by removing opportunities for unauthorized use of excess functionality.
Dedicated authorization servers support policy-based decisions, mitigating improper authorization.
Protecting the shutoff from unauthorized activation enforces proper authorization for this critical operation.