CVE-2005-4344 in Coldfusion MX
Summary
by MITRE
adobe (formerly macromedia) coldfusion mx 7.0 does not honor when the cfobject /createobject(java) setting is disabled which allows local users to create an object despite the specified configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
Adobe ColdFusion MX 7.0 contains a critical security vulnerability that stems from improper validation of the cfobject and createobject(java) settings within its configuration management system. This flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and configuration enforcement mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized object creation. The vulnerability specifically affects the application server's ability to properly enforce security policies when users attempt to create Java objects through ColdFusion's scripting interface. When the configuration explicitly disables Java object creation, the system fails to maintain this restriction, allowing local attackers to bypass these security controls through legitimate scripting mechanisms. The technical implementation flaw lies in the absence of proper access control checks during the object creation process, where the system does not validate whether the current configuration permits such operations before executing the creation command. This weakness creates a persistent backdoor that enables attackers to execute arbitrary Java code within the application server environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-693, which describes protection mechanism failures where security controls are improperly implemented or bypassed. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations using ColdFusion MX 7.0 as it allows local users to escalate privileges and execute malicious code without proper authorization. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain access to sensitive data, modify application behavior, or establish persistent access points within the server infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it undermines the entire security model of the application server, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the underlying Java Virtual Machine and access system resources that should remain protected. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of scripting languages for execution, and T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through application misconfiguration. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture where configuration-based restrictions are not properly enforced at runtime. Organizations using this version of ColdFusion should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, disabling unnecessary Java object creation capabilities, and implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized object creation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement within enterprise application servers, particularly those that interface with lower-level system resources. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and application firewalls to limit potential exploitation paths and reduce the overall attack surface. The configuration management system requires robust validation to ensure that all security policies are consistently enforced regardless of the execution context or user privileges within the application environment.