CVE-2009-1876 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion 8.0.1 and earlier might allow attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors, related to a "double-encoded null character vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2021
Adobe ColdFusion versions 8.0.1 and earlier contain a vulnerability that enables attackers to potentially access sensitive information through unspecified vectors related to a double-encoded null character vulnerability. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the application server's handling of encoded characters, specifically involving null byte sequences that are processed twice within the system's input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the improper sanitization of user-supplied input where double-encoded null characters can bypass security checks and potentially expose system resources or data that should remain protected. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates at a fundamental level within the application's parsing and validation logic, allowing malicious actors to craft inputs that appear legitimate but contain hidden null byte sequences designed to exploit the system's processing behavior. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing. The double-encoded null character vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-129 and CWE-134, which address issues with input validation and improper handling of encoded data. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to perform information disclosure attacks by manipulating request parameters or input fields to inject double-encoded null characters that bypass security controls. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as it may allow for more sophisticated attacks including potential privilege escalation or further exploitation of related vulnerabilities within the ColdFusion environment. Attackers could leverage this weakness to access restricted files, database information, or system resources that should be protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires understanding of the specific encoding behaviors within ColdFusion's processing pipeline and the ability to craft inputs that contain properly double-encoded null sequences. Security researchers have identified this as a significant risk in older ColdFusion installations where patching may not have been applied, making systems vulnerable to information disclosure attacks. The underlying issue demonstrates a failure in the application server's security model to properly handle encoded character sequences, particularly when these sequences are processed multiple times through different validation layers. Organizations running affected versions should prioritize patching or implementing compensating controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under initial access and privilege escalation techniques, as it provides attackers with the means to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and potentially expand their access within the compromised system. Remediation efforts should focus on upgrading to patched versions of ColdFusion 8.0.2 or later, implementing proper input validation controls, and conducting security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patching.