Anyone Can Delete Any Account: AI Auth Bypass

The problem

A critical authorization bypass allowed any authenticated user to delete any other user's account by simply changing the user ID in the DELETE request. The AI-generated endpoint checked if a user was logged in, but never verified if they had permission to delete the specific account they were targeting.

How AI created this issue

When asked to "create a delete account endpoint," the AI generated code that technically worked but missed the crucial authorization layer. It assumed authentication (being logged in) was the same as authorization (having permission), creating a massive security vulnerability where any user could wipe out the entire user base.

# AI's dangerous implementation
@app.delete("/users/{user_id}")
def delete_user(user_id: int, current_user = Depends(get_current_user)):
    # AI forgot to check if current_user.id == user_id!
    db.delete_user(user_id)
    return {"message": "User deleted"}

The solution

1. Implemented proper authorization checks ensuring users can only delete their own accounts
2. Added role-based access control (RBAC) for admin operations
3. Created an audit log for all deletion attempts, successful or failed
4. Implemented soft deletes with a 30-day recovery window
5. Added rate limiting to prevent mass deletion attempts

The results

Zero unauthorized deletions since implementation. The audit logs now capture all access attempts, providing forensic capabilities. Admin operations require two-factor authentication, and users receive email confirmation for account deletions. The system is now compliant with data protection regulations and has passed security audits.