CVE-2001-0535 in Coldfusion Server
Summary
by MITRE
Example applications (Exampleapps) in ColdFusion Server 4.x do not properly restrict prevent access from outside the local host s domain, which allows remote attackers to conduct upload, read, or execute files by spoofing the "HTTP Host" (CGI.Host) variable in (1) the "Web Publish" example script, and (2) the "Email" example script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0535 represents a critical access control flaw within the ColdFusion Server 4.x example applications, specifically affecting the Exampleapps component that ships with the platform. This issue stems from inadequate validation of the HTTP Host header variable, which is a fundamental security mechanism used to identify the target server in web communications. The flaw exists in two primary example scripts: the Web Publish example script and the Email example script, both of which are designed to demonstrate ColdFusion functionality but inadvertently expose the system to unauthorized remote access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of the CGI.Host variable, which is part of the Common Gateway Interface specification used by web servers to pass information from the web server to web applications. When ColdFusion processes these example applications, it fails to validate whether the incoming HTTP Host header originates from a trusted source within the local domain, allowing remote attackers to manipulate this variable to bypass local access restrictions. This manipulation enables attackers to spoof the host header and gain unauthorized access to file operations including upload, read, and execute capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides remote attackers with complete control over the file system of the affected ColdFusion server. Attackers can leverage this flaw to upload malicious files, read sensitive system files, and execute arbitrary code on the target server, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems where ColdFusion Server 4.x is installed with the default example applications, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these examples are not properly secured or removed. This issue directly maps to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves disabling or removing the vulnerable example applications from production environments, as these are intended for demonstration purposes only and should not be accessible in live systems. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict input validation on HTTP Host headers, implement proper access controls that validate the source of incoming requests, and configure the web server to reject requests that attempt to spoof the host header. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the ColdFusion server to trusted IP addresses only. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar access control flaws in web applications, as this issue demonstrates how seemingly benign example code can become a vector for serious security breaches.