CVE-2011-0735 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion before 9.0.1 CHF1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving a "tag script."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
Adobe ColdFusion versions prior to 9.0.1 CHF1 contained a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploited improper input validation mechanisms within the tag script processing functionality. This vulnerability specifically affected the way the application handled user-supplied data when processing tag script elements, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content within the context of affected applications. The flaw originated from insufficient sanitization of input parameters that were processed through the ColdFusion tag script interpreter, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that would be executed when legitimate users accessed affected pages. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it could be exploited through various attack vectors involving tag script elements, making it difficult to predict and prevent all potential exploitation scenarios. This weakness enabled attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious domains, significantly compromising the security posture of affected organizations. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.008 for command and scripting interpreter. The attack surface was broad as any application utilizing ColdFusion tag scripts could potentially be affected, particularly those that accepted user input for processing through tag script functions. Organizations running vulnerable versions faced significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, as the vulnerability could be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized knowledge of the system internals.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurred when ColdFusion failed to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. Attackers could craft malicious payloads containing script tags or other HTML elements that would be processed by the tag script interpreter, resulting in the execution of unauthorized code within the browser context of legitimate users. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it leveraged the legitimate tag script functionality of ColdFusion, making it appear as though the malicious content was generated by the application itself rather than by an external attacker. This characteristic of the vulnerability made detection and prevention more challenging, as the malicious scripts would be indistinguishable from legitimate application-generated content. The impact extended beyond simple script execution to include potential privilege escalation and data exfiltration scenarios, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack techniques. Security researchers noted that the vulnerability was particularly prevalent in web applications that heavily relied on dynamic content generation and user interaction through tag script mechanisms. The exploitation required minimal technical expertise and could be automated using various web attack frameworks, making it a popular target for both skilled and less experienced attackers.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability needed to implement immediate remediation measures to protect their applications and users from potential exploitation. The primary solution involved upgrading to Adobe ColdFusion 9.0.1 CHF1 or later versions, which contained patches addressing the input validation flaws in the tag script processing functionality. System administrators should have also implemented additional security controls including web application firewalls, input validation rules, and output encoding mechanisms to provide defense-in-depth protection. Regular security assessments and code reviews became essential practices to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and prevent future incidents. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web application security, particularly for applications using server-side scripting languages. Organizations needed to establish comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts and ensure rapid deployment of security patches across all affected systems. The security community emphasized that this vulnerability demonstrated the critical need for organizations to maintain up-to-date software versions and implement robust security monitoring practices to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. This incident reinforced the principles of secure coding practices and the necessity of following security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.