CVEs / CVE-2016-4437

CVE-2016-4437: Apache Shiro Code Execution Vulnerability

Known exploited in the CISA KEV catalog since 3 Nov 2021
critical 9.8 CVSS 3.1 (NVD)
EPSS 93% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of CVEs (30 Oct 2026)
Last changed at its sources 24 Oct 2026

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Summary

Apache Shiro contains a vulnerability which may allow remote attackers to execute code or bypass intended access restrictions via an unspecified request parameter when a cipher key has not been configured for the "remember me" feature.
CISA, Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

Description

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 parameter.
The CVE record, via NVD · published 7 Jun 2016 · NVD status: Analyzed

Affected and fixed versions

As stated by the CVE record (from the CNA)
Product	Affected	Fixed in
n/a n/a	n/a	—

As stated by OSV
Product	Affected	Fixed in
org.apache.shiro:shiro-core (Maven)	before 1.2.5	1.2.5

Package versions from GHSA-p836-389h-j692.

Exploitation

In CISA KEV since	3 Nov 2021
Due date for US federal agencies	3 May 2022
Used in ransomware campaigns	Unknown
Required action	Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Severity

CVSS 3.1	9.8 critical `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H` Scored by NVD
Weakness	CWE-321

References

CVE-2016-4437 on NVD
CVE-2016-4437 in the CISA KEV catalog
CVE-2016-4437 on OSV
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/137310/Apache-Shiro-1.2.4-Information-Disclosure.html Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157497/Apache-Shiro-1.2.4-Remote-Code-Execution.html Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2035.html Third Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2036.html Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/538570/100/0/threaded Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/91024 Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ef3a800c7d727a00e04b78e2f06c5cd8960f09ca28c9b69d94c3c4c4%40%3Cannouncements.aurora.apache.org%3E Mailing List
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-4437 US Government Resource

Sources

Exploitation status from the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. EPSS scores from FIRST. Descriptions, severity and references from the National Vulnerability Database. Open-source package versions from OSV (CC-BY 4.0). Text is shown as each source states it; Stackurity does not edit it. Check the vendor's advisory before acting.

This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.