CVE-2016-4437: Improper Access Control in Apache Shiro
Summary
CVE-2016-4437: Improper Access Control in Apache Shiro. Affects org.apache.shiro:shiro-core versions < 1.2.5. Fixed in 1.2.5. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- shiro · Debian:11
The same CVE-2016-4437 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
Apache Shiro is a powerful and easy-to-use Java security framework that provides authentication, authorization, cryptography, and session management capabilities. It is widely used in Java applications to secure sensitive data and control access to resources. However, versions prior to 1.2.5 are vulnerable to an improper access control issue in the "remember me" feature. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or bypass intended access restrictions by exploiting an unspecified request parameter.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2016-4437) in Apache Shiro arises when a cipher key has not been configured for the "remember me" feature. This oversight enables attackers to manipulate request parameters and gain unauthorized access to the system. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can execute arbitrary code or bypass intended access restrictions, potentially leading to unauthorized data disclosure, privilege escalation, or remote code execution. The severity of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH with a CVSS score of 8.1.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 3.0.1 as of 22 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
1.2.5
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
If upgrading to the latest version is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround is to manually configure a cipher key for the "remember me" feature in the Apache Shiro configuration file. By specifying a strong and unique cipher key, the vulnerability can be mitigated. Here is an example configuration snippet:
securityManager.rememberMeManager.cipherKey = kPH+bIxk5D2deZiIxcaaaA==
Note that the cipher key value should be securely generated and kept confidential.
Conclusion
Apache Shiro versions prior to 1.2.5 are vulnerable to an improper access control issue in the "remember me" feature. This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or bypass access restrictions. It is crucial to upgrade to Apache Shiro 1.2.5 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for org.apache.shiro:shiro-core →
FAQ
Apache Shiro is a Java security framework that provides authentication, authorization, cryptography, and session management capabilities. It is widely used in Java applications to secure sensitive data and control access to resources.
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or bypass intended access restrictions in Apache Shiro. This can lead to unauthorized data disclosure, privilege escalation, or remote code execution.
To fix this vulnerability, upgrade to Apache Shiro version 1.2.5 or later. Alternatively, you can manually configure a cipher key for the "remember me" feature in the Apache Shiro configuration file.
Yes, if upgrading to the latest version is not immediately feasible, you can manually configure a cipher key for the "remember me" feature in the Apache Shiro configuration file.
The severity of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH with a CVSS score of 8.1.
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