CVE-2010-2861 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the administrator console in Adobe ColdFusion 9.0.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the locale parameter to (1) CFIDE/administrator/settings/mappings.cfm, (2) logging/settings.cfm, (3) datasources/index.cfm, (4) j2eepackaging/editarchive.cfm, and (5) enter.cfm in CFIDE/administrator/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
Adobe ColdFusion versions 9.0.1 and earlier contain multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities within their administrator console components that enable remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the underlying file system. These vulnerabilities specifically affect five distinct endpoints within the CFIDE/administrator/ directory structure including mappings.cfm, logging/settings.cfm, datasources/index.cfm, j2eepackaging/editarchive.cfm, and enter.cfm. The core flaw stems from insufficient input validation of the locale parameter, which allows malicious actors to manipulate file paths through directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The attack vector requires remote access to the administrator console without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it could potentially allow attackers to extract sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the server. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers could potentially gain insights into the application architecture, identify additional vulnerabilities, and escalate their attacks through the exposure of internal system details. The vulnerability represents a critical security weakness in the application's access control mechanisms and input sanitization processes, as it allows unauthorized file system access through a parameter that should only influence user interface localization settings. These flaws create a pathway for attackers to perform reconnaissance activities and gather intelligence that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The directory traversal exploit works by manipulating the locale parameter to traverse up the directory tree and access files that should be restricted to administrative users only. The affected components typically handle configuration management, logging settings, data source definitions, and application packaging functions, making them particularly valuable targets for attackers seeking to understand or compromise the application environment. Organizations running vulnerable versions of ColdFusion should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to the administrator console. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, access controls, and monitoring of administrative endpoints can help reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly when dealing with user-supplied parameters that influence file system operations. Security teams should also conduct thorough assessments of their ColdFusion installations to identify any other potential directory traversal vulnerabilities or similar access control issues that could be exploited by threat actors. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation gaps can result in significant security breaches and emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing and regular vulnerability assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity targeting these specific administrative endpoints and prevent unauthorized access attempts.