CVE-2026-49268: CWE-90 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an LDAP Query ('LDAP Injection') in Apache Software Foundation Apache Shiro
CVE-2026-49268 is a high-severity LDAP injection vulnerability in Apache Shiro's DefaultLdapRealm class. It allows remote attackers to inject LDAP special characters into the Distinguished Name (DN) construction by concatenating user-supplied usernames without proper escaping. This can lead to manipulation of the LDAP DN used for bind authentication, potentially enabling authentication bypass or user impersonation. The vulnerability affects all Apache Shiro versions through 2.2.0 and 3.0.0-alpha-1 when using DefaultLdapRealm. Upgrading to Apache Shiro 2.2.1 or 3.0.0-alpha-2 or later addresses the issue.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special LDAP characters (CWE-90) in the DefaultLdapRealm class of Apache Shiro. User input for usernames is directly concatenated into the LDAP Distinguished Name (DN) template without escaping RFC 2253 special characters. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the DN structure used during LDAP bind authentication, which can result in bypassing authentication controls or impersonating other users. The issue affects all versions up to 2.2.0 and 3.0.0-alpha-1. The vendor has fixed the vulnerability in versions 2.2.1 and 3.0.0-alpha-2 and later.
Potential Impact
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to inject LDAP special characters into the DN used for authentication, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms or impersonating other users. This compromises the integrity of the authentication process and can lead to unauthorized access.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Apache Shiro to version 2.2.1 or 3.0.0-alpha-2 or later, where this vulnerability has been fixed. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory embedded in the description. No other mitigations are indicated.
CVE-2026-49268: CWE-90 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an LDAP Query ('LDAP Injection') in Apache Software Foundation Apache Shiro
Description
CVE-2026-49268 is a high-severity LDAP injection vulnerability in Apache Shiro's DefaultLdapRealm class. It allows remote attackers to inject LDAP special characters into the Distinguished Name (DN) construction by concatenating user-supplied usernames without proper escaping. This can lead to manipulation of the LDAP DN used for bind authentication, potentially enabling authentication bypass or user impersonation. The vulnerability affects all Apache Shiro versions through 2.2.0 and 3.0.0-alpha-1 when using DefaultLdapRealm. Upgrading to Apache Shiro 2.2.1 or 3.0.0-alpha-2 or later addresses the issue.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.8high
Affected software
pkg:maven/Apache Software Foundation/org.apache.shiro:shiro-coreRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special LDAP characters (CWE-90) in the DefaultLdapRealm class of Apache Shiro. User input for usernames is directly concatenated into the LDAP Distinguished Name (DN) template without escaping RFC 2253 special characters. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the DN structure used during LDAP bind authentication, which can result in bypassing authentication controls or impersonating other users. The issue affects all versions up to 2.2.0 and 3.0.0-alpha-1. The vendor has fixed the vulnerability in versions 2.2.1 and 3.0.0-alpha-2 and later.
Potential Impact
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to inject LDAP special characters into the DN used for authentication, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms or impersonating other users. This compromises the integrity of the authentication process and can lead to unauthorized access.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Apache Shiro to version 2.2.1 or 3.0.0-alpha-2 or later, where this vulnerability has been fixed. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory embedded in the description. No other mitigations are indicated.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apache
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-28T17:20:37.590Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a32a8a20b89be6888635f0a
Added to database: 06/17/2026, 14:01:06 UTC
Last enriched: 06/24/2026, 16:14:24 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:59 UTC
Views: 124
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