CVE-2011-0582 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the administrator console in Adobe ColdFusion 8.0 through 9.0.1 allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2021
Adobe ColdFusion represents a widely deployed enterprise web application platform that has historically served as a critical component in corporate web infrastructure. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0582 affects the administrator console functionality within ColdFusion versions 8.0 through 9.0.1, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these platforms. This unspecified vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface, which typically requires elevated privileges and contains sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and system information. The administrator console serves as the primary management interface for ColdFusion servers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to critical system components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the administrator console implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of request parameters or session handling within the administrative interface. The vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to obtain sensitive information that would normally be restricted to legitimate administrators. This information could include system configuration details, user account information, database connection strings, and other administrative data that would enable further exploitation or compromise of the entire ColdFusion environment. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways may exist for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security assessment perspective.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0582 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised administrator console provides attackers with elevated privileges and access to critical system resources. Organizations running vulnerable ColdFusion versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized modification of web applications hosted on these platforms. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Additionally, the sensitive information obtained through this vulnerability could enable attackers to conduct further reconnaissance, identify other system weaknesses, or launch targeted attacks against connected systems. The administrative interface typically contains configuration data that could reveal network topology, system architecture, and other intelligence valuable for advanced persistent threats.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Adobe, which typically address the specific access control and input validation issues within the administrator console. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the administrator console from trusted networks only, while disabling unnecessary administrative interfaces when not in use. Regular security audits and monitoring of administrative access logs should be conducted to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a classic example of how administrative interfaces can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and maintaining comprehensive audit trails to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, highlighting the importance of securing administrative interfaces as part of broader enterprise security strategies.