CVE-2014-0482: Django RemoteUserMiddleware Session Hijacking
Summary
CVE-2014-0482: The contrib.auth.middleware.RemoteUserMiddleware middleware in Django before 1.4.14, 1.5.x before 1.5.9, 1.6.x before 1.6.6, and 1.7 before release candidate 3, when using the contrib.auth.backends.RemoteUserBackend back... Affects django across 3 version ranges.
< 1.4.14
>= 1.5, < 1.5.9
>= 1.6, < 1.6.6
Fixed in 1.4.14, 1.5.9 or 1.6.6, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- python-django · Debian:11
The same CVE-2014-0482 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
Django is a popular Python web framework used for building web applications. It provides a robust set of tools and features for developers to create scalable and secure applications. One of the key components of Django is the contrib.auth middleware, which handles user authentication and session management. The RemoteUserMiddleware middleware is a part of contrib.auth and is used to authenticate users based on the REMOTE_USER header. This header is typically set by web servers when using external authentication mechanisms. However, a vulnerability in the RemoteUserMiddleware middleware allows remote authenticated users to hijack web sessions, potentially leading to unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2014-0482) arises from a flaw in the RemoteUserMiddleware middleware when used with the contrib.auth.backends.RemoteUserBackend backend. It allows remote authenticated users to hijack web sessions by exploiting vectors related to the REMOTE_USER header. By manipulating this header, an attacker can impersonate another user and gain unauthorized access to their session. This can lead to various security risks, such as unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and potential data breaches.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 6.1.2 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "django==6.1.2"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
< 1.4.141.4.14pip install --upgrade "django==1.4.14" -
>= 1.5, < 1.5.91.5.9pip install --upgrade "django==1.5.9" -
>= 1.6, < 1.6.61.6.6pip install --upgrade "django==1.6.6"
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading Django is not immediately feasible, a possible workaround is to disable the use of the contrib.auth.middleware.RemoteUserMiddleware middleware or switch to an alternative authentication mechanism that is not affected by this vulnerability. However, it is strongly advised to apply the official fix by upgrading Django as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The CVE-2014-0482 vulnerability in Django's contrib.auth.middleware.RemoteUserMiddleware exposes web applications to session hijacking by remote authenticated users. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to upgrade Django to the fixed versions or apply the recommended workarounds. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for django →
FAQ
The vulnerability allows remote authenticated users to hijack web sessions, potentially leading to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, and data breaches.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, using just the Pipfile.lock file.
No, only Django versions before 1.4.14, 1.5.9, 1.6.6, and 1.7 release candidate 3 are affected. It is recommended to upgrade to the fixed versions to mitigate the vulnerability.
No, this vulnerability requires remote authenticated access to the Django application. However, once authenticated, an attacker can exploit the vulnerability to hijack web sessions.
There are no known public exploits available for this vulnerability at the time of writing. However, it is important to apply the necessary fixes to prevent potential exploitation.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for django.
