9.8

CVE-2016-4437: Apache Shiro Code Execution Vulnerability

CVSS: 9.8v3.1CriticalKEVAnalyzed
AliasesUBUNTU-CVE-2016-4437USN-7139-1DEBIAN-CVE-2016-4437
Published 07-06-2016Last modified 21-10-2025
Open JSON

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2016-4437 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerability in Apache Shiro. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-11-2021. EPSS estimates a 93.04% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.8% of scored vulnerabilities. 3 public exploits are recorded.

Overall risk
85/100
0100
Critical · default modelHow is this calculated?
CVSS score
9.8/10
010
Critical · v3.1 (CVE.org)
EPSS score
93.04%
0%100%
Critical · 0.00 pp in 30 days
KEVListedCISA
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits3reference, exploit-database, metasploit

Timeline

  1. 07-06-2016
    PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
  2. 03-11-2021
    Added to CISA KEVApache Shiro Code Execution Vulnerability
  3. 03-05-2022
    CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
  4. 21-10-2025
    Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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.

CVSS metrics

7 scores · 5 sources · 3 versions

EPSS trend

Probability

93.04%

Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days

Percentile

100%

Versus all other CVEs

30-day change

0.00 pp

From 93.04% on 18-09-2026

18-09-202618-10-2026
EPSS score
93.04%

Known exploited

Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVListed
Added
03-11-2021
Federal due date
03-05-2022

CISA required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions. nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-4437

Public exploits

3 found
  • referenceUnverified

    Exploit Reference (packetstormsecurity.com)

    Maturity: unknown

  • exploit-databaseremotemultipleVerified

    Apache Shiro 1.2.4 - Cookie RememberME Deserial RCE (Metasploit)

    Maturity: weaponized

  • MetasploitMetasploitremoteVerified

    Apache Shiro v1.2.4 Cookie RememberME Deserial RCE

    exploit/multi/http/shiro_rememberme_v124_deserialize

    Maturity: weaponized

Weaknesses

CWE · root cause

Affected systems

Apache2 products
Redhat2 products
Debian1 product
  • shiro< 1.2.5-1
Org.apache.shiro1 product
  • shiro-core< 1.2.5
Ubuntu1 product
  • shiro< 1.2.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm1

5 vendors · 7 products

References

15 links
Show all 15 references