CVE-2003-1469 in ColdFusion Server
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of ColdFusion MX has the "Enable Robust Exception Information" option selected, which allows remote attackers to obtain the full path of the web server via a direct request to CFIDE/probe.cfm, which leaks the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1469 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Adobe ColdFusion MX software that stems from insecure default configurations. This issue affects the web application server's error handling mechanisms and exposes sensitive system information through improperly configured security settings. The vulnerability specifically targets the ColdFusion MX platform's default security posture, where the "Enable Robust Exception Information" feature remains enabled by default, creating an attack vector that allows remote threat actors to extract critical system path information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a direct HTTP request to the specific endpoint CFIDE/probe.cfm within the ColdFusion application server. When this endpoint is accessed, the server responds with detailed error messages that contain the complete file system path where the ColdFusion installation resides. This path disclosure represents a fundamental security misconfiguration where the application's error handling does not properly sanitize or filter error output before presenting it to remote users. The flaw essentially transforms the application's internal error reporting mechanism into an information leak channel that reveals system architecture details to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple path disclosure, as the leaked information provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data for subsequent exploitation attempts. The complete server path information can be used to craft more sophisticated attacks, including local file inclusion vulnerabilities, directory traversal exploits, or to identify specific file locations that may contain sensitive configuration data. This information disclosure vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure" and specifically covers scenarios where systems inadvertently reveal sensitive information through error messages or debugging output. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, "Exploitation for Credential Access," as path information can facilitate further attacks that may lead to credential compromise or system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk exposure since the default configuration provides attackers with the foundational information needed to plan more targeted attacks against the ColdFusion server. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in software design where sensitive system information is exposed through error handling mechanisms without proper access controls or output sanitization. System administrators who fail to disable the "Enable Robust Exception Information" option create an environment where attackers can easily enumerate system paths and potentially identify other vulnerabilities in the application stack. The remediation process requires disabling the problematic configuration option and implementing proper error handling that does not expose internal system paths to external users. This vulnerability underscores the importance of security by design principles and the necessity of reviewing default configurations before deploying applications in production environments.