CVE-2010-5290 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
The authentication process in Adobe ColdFusion before 10 does not require knowledge of the cleartext password if the password hash is known, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain administrative privileges by leveraging read access to the configuration file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2861.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5290 represents a critical weakness in Adobe ColdFusion versions prior to 10 that fundamentally undermines the authentication security model. This flaw exists within the password validation mechanism where the system accepts pre-hashed password values without requiring the original cleartext password to be provided during the authentication process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it creates a scenario where an attacker with read access to the configuration file can bypass normal authentication procedures by simply providing a known password hash. This weakness directly violates standard security principles that require proper password verification through the original plaintext input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how ColdFusion handles password validation in its authentication subsystem. When a user attempts to authenticate, the system should validate the provided password against the stored hash value using the proper cryptographic verification process. However, in vulnerable versions, the authentication routine allows for direct hash comparison without requiring the original password input, effectively creating a backdoor authentication path. This design flaw enables attackers to leverage the password hash directly rather than having to perform brute force or dictionary attacks against the cleartext password. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287 which specifically addresses improper authentication mechanisms and improper authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation as it significantly reduces the attack surface required for administrative access. An attacker with read access to the configuration file can immediately escalate privileges without needing to guess or crack passwords through traditional means. This scenario is particularly dangerous in environments where configuration files may be accessible through various attack vectors such as web server misconfigurations, insecure file permissions, or through other vulnerabilities like those described in CVE-2010-2861. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly as long as the attacker maintains access to the password hash values. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation technique under T1068 and credential access under T1078.
Security implications of CVE-2010-5290 are compounded by the fact that it operates as a context-dependent vulnerability, meaning its exploitation requires specific conditions to be met. The attacker must already possess read access to the configuration file, which typically indicates a broader compromise of the system's security posture. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of principle of least privilege and proper access controls, as it essentially allows attackers to bypass authentication entirely when they have the right level of file system access. Organizations with inadequate file permissions or misconfigured web server settings become particularly vulnerable to this attack vector, making it a critical concern for system administrators who must ensure proper file access controls are in place.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of Adobe ColdFusion to version 10 or later where this authentication flaw has been resolved. Additionally, system administrators should implement comprehensive access controls to prevent unauthorized read access to configuration files and database connection details. Network segmentation and proper file permissions should be enforced to limit access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing multi-factor authentication and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar authentication weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual access patterns to configuration files and authentication-related components.