# CVE-2015-5167: Apache Ranger allows users to bypass intended access restrictions via the REST API

> Remote authenticated users can bypass intended access restrictions in the Apache Ranger Policy Admin Tool via the REST API.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.5 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 12 Apr 2016
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qqg7-gcxw-gmj3

## What is CVE-2015-5167?

CVE-2015-5167 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in n/a, published on 12 Apr 2016. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The Policy Admin Tool in Apache Ranger before 0.5.1 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via the REST API.

Weakness: CWE-264

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2015-5167?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.ranger:ranger. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.ranger:ranger` | Maven | All versions | 0.5.1 |
| `org.apache.ranger:ranger` | Maven | All versions | 0.5.1 |

Products: Apache Ranger.

## How do I fix CVE-2015-5167?

Upgrade org.apache.ranger:ranger to 0.5.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2015-5167 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2015-5167 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2026-28672](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28672/): Apache Ranger: OS Command Injection via Username in UnixUserGroupBuilder (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-32227](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-32227/): Apache Ranger: SQL Injection vulnerability in lookup functionality (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-40920](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-40920/): Apache Ranger: Privilege Escalation via URL Parameter (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-42537](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-42537/): Apache Ranger: Remote Code Execution via JDBC URL Injection (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-44416](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-44416/): Apache Ranger: Remote Code Execution via Arbitrary Class Instantiation (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2015-5167 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2015-5167 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in n/a, published on 12 Apr 2016. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2015-5167 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.ranger:ranger (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 0.5.1
- org.apache.ranger:ranger (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 0.5.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-5167/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-5167/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-5167
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-5167
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2015-5167

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-5167/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.