CWE-304: Missing Critical Step in Authentication
The product implements an authentication technique, but it skips a step that weakens the technique.
Overview
Authentication techniques should follow the algorithms that define them exactly, otherwise authentication can be bypassed or more easily subjected to brute force attacks.
Real-world CVEs
31 recorded CVEs are caused by CWE-304 (Missing Critical Step in Authentication). The highest-severity and most recent are shown first. 4 new CWE-304 CVEs have been recorded so far in 2026 (12 in 2025).