CVE-2009-3467 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in an unspecified method in Adobe ColdFusion 8.0, 8.0.1, and 9.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3467 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 8.0, 8.0.1, and 9.0. This weakness resides in an unspecified method within the ColdFusion application server framework, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side scripting issue places it squarely within the realm of web application security risks that can compromise user data and system integrity. The unspecified nature of the vulnerable method in the original description suggests that the flaw could potentially manifest across multiple components of the ColdFusion runtime environment, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and output encoding mechanisms within Adobe ColdFusion's processing pipeline. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that bypass the application's sanitization controls, allowing their injected scripts to execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users who interact with vulnerable ColdFusion applications. The vectors through which this injection occurs remain unspecified in the CVE description, but typically such vulnerabilities arise from insufficient validation of user-supplied data in parameters, form fields, or URL components that are subsequently rendered back to users without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input sanitization can lead to widespread security compromise in enterprise web platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3467 extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the affected systems. Organizations running vulnerable ColdFusion installations face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential compromise of entire web application infrastructures. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers need not have physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ColdFusion servers are exposed to the internet. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of credential harvesting through web application attacks, and represents a common entry point for more sophisticated attacks targeting enterprise infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official Adobe security patches released for ColdFusion 8.0, 8.0.1, and 9.0, which address the underlying input validation issues. Additional protective measures include implementing robust web application firewalls, deploying content security policies, and establishing comprehensive input validation routines that properly encode all user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their ColdFusion environments to identify any other potential attack vectors or similar weaknesses that may have been overlooked. The remediation process should encompass not only patching the immediate vulnerability but also reviewing and strengthening overall web application security practices, including regular security testing, input validation enforcement, and user session management protocols. Organizations must also consider the broader implications of running outdated software versions and establish more robust patch management procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.