CVE-2004-2204 in Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
macromedia coldfusion mx 6.0 and 6.1 application server when running with the createobject function or cfobject tag enabled allows local users to conduct unauthorized activities and obtain administrative passwords by creating cfml scripts that use createobject or cfobject.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2204 represents a critical security flaw in Macromedia ColdFusion MX 6.0 and 6.1 application servers that stems from improper access controls within the createobject function and cfobject tag implementations. This vulnerability specifically affects systems where these functions are enabled, creating a pathway for local users to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative credentials. The flaw exists in the server's object creation mechanisms, which should have enforced strict security boundaries but instead permitted arbitrary object instantiation that could be exploited for malicious purposes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the ability of local users to craft malicious ColdFusion Markup Language scripts that leverage the createobject function or cfobject tag to instantiate objects with elevated privileges. When these functions are enabled on the server, they allow users to create objects that can potentially access system resources and administrative functions that should normally be restricted. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where the application's security model fails to properly validate or restrict object creation operations, enabling local users to bypass normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized access to administrative passwords and system functions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations running affected ColdFusion versions as it allows local attackers to obtain administrative passwords without requiring external network access or complex attack vectors. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft to potential complete system compromise, as administrative access typically provides unrestricted access to all system resources, databases, and application configurations. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where ColdFusion servers are deployed with overly permissive security settings, and where local access to the system is not properly restricted or monitored.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically highlighting the failure to properly restrict object instantiation operations. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities and credential access through the acquisition of administrative credentials. Organizations should immediately disable the createobject function and cfobject tag on affected systems when these features are not required for legitimate business operations, implement proper access controls and monitoring, and apply the vendor-provided security patches as soon as possible. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that no unnecessary object creation capabilities remain enabled in the application server configuration to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.