CVE-2008-0644 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion MX 7 and ColdFusion 8 allows remote attackers to bypass the cross-site scripting (XSS) protection mechanism for applications via unspecified vectors related to the setEncoding function.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2019
Adobe ColdFusion MX 7 and ColdFusion 8 contain a critical vulnerability in their cross-site scripting protection mechanism that allows remote attackers to bypass security controls through unspecified vectors related to the setEncoding function. This vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the application server's input validation and output encoding processes, potentially enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that rely on ColdFusion for their functionality. The flaw specifically targets the setEncoding function which is responsible for handling character encoding within the application environment, creating a pathway for attackers to circumvent the built-in XSS protection measures that should prevent malicious code execution. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input handling and output encoding, which aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') and CWE-116 - Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output. The attack vector involves exploiting the setEncoding function's behavior to manipulate how special characters are processed and rendered, effectively neutralizing the security controls designed to prevent XSS attacks. This weakness creates a persistent threat to web applications hosted on affected ColdFusion versions, as it allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems. The impact extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform actions on behalf of legitimate users, access sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious websites. Organizations running these vulnerable versions of ColdFusion face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where user input is processed and displayed without additional security controls, as the bypass affects the fundamental security mechanisms that protect against client-side attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the core encoding functionality that forms the basis of many web application security defenses, making it a critical issue that requires immediate attention. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper encoding implementation and the potential for flaws in core application functions to undermine broader security architectures. The attack surface is broad as any application using ColdFusion that processes user input and displays it to other users may be affected, particularly those that rely on the setEncoding function for character handling. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through compromised web applications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of ColdFusion, implementing additional input validation measures, and monitoring for suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of core application functions and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches to prevent exploitation of fundamental architectural weaknesses. Proper implementation of encoding controls and regular security assessments are essential to prevent attackers from leveraging such vulnerabilities to compromise web application security.