CVE-2001-1427 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in ColdFusion Server 2.0 through 4.5.1 SP2 allows remote attackers to overwrite templates with zero byte files via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1427 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe ColdFusion Server versions 2.0 through 4.5.1 SP2 that enables remote attackers to manipulate template files by overwriting them with zero-byte files through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability falls under the category of file manipulation and privilege escalation issues, with implications for web application security and content management systems. The flaw specifically targets the template handling mechanisms within ColdFusion Server, which are fundamental components for dynamic web content generation and application logic execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specific user interaction, making it a significant threat to web server integrity and data protection.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and file system access controls within the ColdFusion Server template processing framework. When ColdFusion Server handles template requests, it appears to fail to properly validate or sanitize file paths and names, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that can overwrite existing template files with empty files. This zero-byte file overwrite capability effectively neutralizes the targeted templates, rendering them unusable and potentially causing application failures or complete service disruption. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal or file manipulation issue that can be categorized under CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, as it involves manipulation of file paths to access or modify unintended files. The attack vectors remain unspecified, suggesting that the vulnerability may be exploitable through multiple methods including direct HTTP requests, parameter manipulation, or through other application interfaces that process template requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1427 extends beyond simple file corruption, as it can lead to complete application degradation or denial of service conditions. When template files are overwritten with zero-byte files, any web applications relying on those templates will fail to render properly, potentially affecting entire websites or web applications built using ColdFusion Server. This vulnerability can be particularly damaging in production environments where ColdFusion applications are critical to business operations, as it can result in service outages, data unavailability, and potential financial losses. The remote exploitability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to malicious actors. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1211 Lateral Movement and T1499 Endpoint Termination, as it enables attackers to manipulate application components and potentially escalate privileges through template file corruption.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, implementing network segmentation to limit access to ColdFusion servers, and establishing robust file integrity monitoring systems. The recommended approach involves restricting file system access permissions for ColdFusion template directories, implementing proper input validation for all template requests, and conducting regular security assessments of ColdFusion applications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file manipulation activities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and following secure coding practices in web application development, particularly regarding file handling and user input validation. Given the age of this vulnerability and the specific version ranges affected, organizations should prioritize upgrading to supported ColdFusion versions or implementing compensating controls to protect against exploitation attempts.