Review reviewCritical

CVE-2025-71401

better-auth

better-auth (npm) before 1.4.2 allows an external request to configure baseURL when it is not otherwise defined (e.g., BETTER_AUTH_URL is unset). An attacker able to make the very first request to the server after startup can poison the router's base path, causing all routes to return 404 for all users (denial of service). The issue is not reachable when baseURL is explicitly configured or on typical managed hosting platforms.

CVSS
9.3
EPSS
0.26%
17.6% percentile
CISA KEV
Not listed
Published
2026.08.02
PRIORITY ASSESSMENT

Review review

The CVSS severity warrants an early asset and exposure review.

Known exploitationNot established by KEV
Exploit probability0.26%
Technical severityCVSS 9.3

Vulnerability overview

better-auth (npm) before 1.4.2 allows an external request to configure baseURL when it is not otherwise defined (e.g., BETTER_AUTH_URL is unset). An attacker able to make the very first request to the server after startup can poison the router's base path, causing all routes to return 404 for all users (denial of service). The issue is not reachable when baseURL is explicitly configured or on typical managed hosting platforms.

Affected product and versions

Product
better-auth
Affected versions
< 1.4.2
Fixed versions
No verified fixed-version field is available yet

Recommended response sequence

Confirm exposure before applying a vendor-supported change.

Full remediation guide
  1. 1
    Identify

    Confirm that better-auth and an affected version are present.

  2. 2
    Prioritize

    Combine exploitation signals with asset exposure and business criticality.

  3. 3
    Remediate

    Follow the vendor advisory or supported update path and preserve rollback options.

  4. 4
    Verify

    Recheck the version, service health, access paths, and relevant logs.

Technical data

CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
CWE
CWE-770
CVE-2025-71401 — better-auth | SECUFOCUS NOW