Critical Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Apache Shiro - CVE-2016-4437
Summary
CVE-2016-4437: Apache Shiro before 1.2.5, when a cipher key has not been configured for the "remember me" feature, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or bypass intended access restrictions via an unspecified request para... Affects shiro across 3 version ranges.
< 1.2.5-1
< bf1e04fca099ca6fd1a9a16da1aea04a5bb8f404
>= fc8697aa0fee97cb587f21334ca58b40546f3e76, < b009191cf66aa73c5ed85ccfd5d5e322efa11c74
Fixed in 1.2.5-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache Shiro is a powerful and flexible open-source security framework that provides authentication, authorization, cryptography, and session management for Java applications. It is widely used due to its ease of integration and robust features. However, prior to version 1.2.5, Shiro had a significant vulnerability related to its 'remember me' feature, which could be exploited if a cipher key was not configured.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2016-4437 is a critical vulnerability in Apache Shiro that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or bypass access restrictions. This issue arises when the 'remember me' feature is used without a properly configured cipher key. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through unspecified request parameters, leading to severe security implications, including unauthorized access and data breaches.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.2.5-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade shiroTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate upgrading is not feasible, consider disabling the 'remember me' feature until a secure version is implemented. This can be done by modifying the configuration settings in your application to prevent the use of this feature temporarily.
Conclusion
CVE-2016-4437 represents a serious security risk for applications using Apache Shiro prior to version 1.2.5. It is crucial for developers and system administrators to upgrade to the latest version and ensure proper configuration of security features to protect against potential exploits.
See every vulnerability recorded for shiro →
FAQ
CVE-2016-4437 is a vulnerability in Apache Shiro that allows remote code execution due to improper configuration of the 'remember me' feature.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential control over the affected system.
Yes, you can disable the 'remember me' feature as a temporary workaround until you can upgrade to a secure version.
The CVSS score for CVE-2016-4437 is 9.8, indicating a critical level of severity.
References
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