A critical security vulnerability has been discovered in Apache Roller, a widely used open-source Java-based blogging server, which puts websites at serious risk. The flaw, identified as CVE-2025-24859, has received the highest severity score—CVSS 10.0—meaning it’s extremely dangerous.
This vulnerability affects all versions of Apache Roller up to version 6.1.4 and allows attackers to remain logged in to user sessions even after the password has been changed. This means that even if a user or administrator resets a password, the attacker can still access the account through the old session.
What Is Apache Roller?
Apache Roller is a powerful, open-source blogging software written in Java. It’s commonly used by individuals, organizations, and developers to host and manage blogs. Because it’s open-source and flexible, many businesses trust Apache Roller for their content platforms. However, the newly revealed flaw poses a serious risk to these websites and their users.
Details of the Security Flaw (CVE-2025-24859)
According to the official security advisory, a session management vulnerability exists in Apache Roller versions before 6.1.5. When a user changes their password, the application does not properly terminate any existing sessions. As a result, any active session—whether started by the legitimate user or a hacker—remains active and usable.
This means:
If a hacker has already gained access using stolen login credentials, they can continue using the session even after the password is changed.
This also applies if the password is reset by an administrator trying to secure a compromised account.
The vulnerability gives attackers persistent unauthorized access.
The flaw was discovered and responsibly reported by security researcher Haining Meng, who has been credited for identifying this critical issue.
Why This Vulnerability Is Dangerous
This vulnerability is especially dangerous because:
It completely bypasses the protection offered by changing passwords.
It enables long-term access for attackers without detection.
It can be used to maintain control over a compromised account, even if users follow recommended security practices like password resets.
Attackers could steal sensitive data, publish unauthorized content, or perform other malicious activities on the affected platform.
With a CVSS score of 10.0, this flaw is considered one of the most severe types of vulnerabilities. It requires immediate action from website administrators and Apache Roller users.
Fix Available in Apache Roller Version 6.1.5
The good news is that Apache has released a security patch in version 6.1.5 to fix the issue. The fix involves implementing centralized session management. Now, when a password is changed or a user account is disabled, all existing sessions are automatically invalidated.
This ensures that:
Any unauthorized access is cut off immediately after a password change.
User accounts are more secure.
Admins have more control over session lifecycles.
What Should Apache Roller Users Do?
If you are using Apache Roller for your website or blog, take the following steps immediately:
Upgrade to version 6.1.5 or later as soon as possible.
Review your session management policies and configurations.
Monitor account activity for any signs of suspicious access.
Educate your users about the importance of regular password updates, especially now that the patch makes such updates more effective.
Set up alerts for abnormal login behaviors to detect potential session hijacking in the future.
Failing to patch this vulnerability leaves your website and user data at high risk.
Other Recent Apache Vulnerabilities
This flaw in Apache Roller follows a pattern of critical security issues recently found in other Apache projects:
Apache Parquet (CVE-2025-30065): Another critical flaw in the Java library for Apache Parquet was disclosed, also with a CVSS score of 10.0. This vulnerability could allow remote code execution by attackers.
Apache Tomcat (CVE-2025-24813): A serious flaw in Apache Tomcat, with a CVSS score of 9.8, was actively exploited soon after it was made public. Tomcat is widely used for serving Java web applications, making the flaw especially alarming.
These incidents show that Apache-based tools are increasingly being targeted by attackers, making it essential for organizations to stay up to date on security patches and monitor their systems closely.
Summary
The Apache Roller vulnerability CVE-2025-24859 is a clear reminder of how even trusted platforms can have serious security flaws. With the ability to bypass password protections through session persistence, this issue opens the door for long-term unauthorized access.
Users and administrators must act quickly by upgrading to Apache Roller 6.1.5 to prevent any potential breaches. Staying informed and applying security updates is the best way to keep your website, data, and users safe in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Follow us on 
(Twitter) for real time updates and exclusive content.
Interesting Article : Pakistan-Linked SideCopy APT Strikes Indian Government Agencies
Pingback: Windows Flaw CVE-2025-24054 Actively Exploited to Steal NTLM Passwords