CVE-2005-4342 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
ColdFusion Sandbox on Adobe (formerly Macromedia) ColdFusion MX 6.0, 6.1, 6.1 with JRun, and 7.0 does not throw an exception if the SecurityManager is disabled, which might allow remote attackers to "bypass security controls," aka "JRun Clustered Sandbox Security Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4342 represents a critical security flaw in Adobe ColdFusion MX versions 6.0, 6.1, and 7.0, specifically affecting systems running with JRun application server. This issue stems from the improper implementation of the SecurityManager within the ColdFusion sandbox environment, creating a significant bypass opportunity for malicious actors. The flaw manifests when the SecurityManager is disabled, allowing attackers to circumvent established security controls that should normally restrict access to system resources and prevent unauthorized operations within the application server environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides in the sandbox implementation's failure to properly validate or enforce security restrictions when the SecurityManager component is disabled. This creates a dangerous condition where the system continues to operate in a potentially compromised state, enabling unauthorized code execution and access to restricted resources. The vulnerability specifically impacts the JRun clustered environment, where multiple application servers work together, amplifying the potential impact across distributed systems. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the security model where the system fails to properly enforce security boundaries, falling under CWE-254, "Weaknesses in Security Models." The flaw allows for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple security bypass, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain access to sensitive data, manipulate system configurations, or potentially establish persistent access within the network. The distributed nature of JRun clustering means that exploitation could affect multiple nodes within a single deployment, potentially leading to widespread compromise. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," and T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," as it provides a foundation for attackers to execute malicious commands and escalate their privileges within the system environment. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to the exposed security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to either patch the affected ColdFusion versions or implement compensating controls. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of ColdFusion MX 6.1 and 7.0, as Adobe released security updates specifically addressing this issue. Additionally, system administrators should review and enforce proper security configurations, ensuring that the SecurityManager remains enabled and properly configured. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and proper sandbox implementation, as outlined in security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the need for secure system design and implementation of proper access controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application environment.