CVE-2011-0736 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Adobe ColdFusion 9.0.1 CHF1 and earlier, when a web application is configured to use a DBMS, allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information about the database structure via an id=- query to a .cfm file. NOTE: the vendor disputes the significance of this issue because the Site-wide Error Handler and Debug Output Settings sections of the ColdFusion Lockdown guide explain the requirement for settings that prevent this information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
This vulnerability affects Adobe ColdFusion versions 9.0.1 and earlier, specifically when web applications are configured to interact with database management systems. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the ColdFusion framework. When a malicious actor sends a specially crafted id=- query parameter to a .cfm file, the application inadvertently reveals database structure information through error messages or response content. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability represents a classic case of inadequate security controls in web application frameworks where error handling does not properly sanitize output to prevent leakage of internal system details.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of query parameters in HTTP requests targeting ColdFusion .cfm files. When the application processes these requests and encounters database-related operations, the error handling mechanism fails to properly isolate or sanitize the database metadata that would normally be exposed during debugging or error scenarios. This allows attackers to extract information about database schemas, table structures, and potentially even connection details that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates poor separation between development and production environments, where debugging information that should be suppressed in production settings is still accessible to remote attackers. From an attack perspective, this issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which involves data from information repositories, specifically targeting database information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as database structure information can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks. Once an attacker has knowledge of database schemas, they can better target specific tables, columns, or relationships to exploit other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's significance increases when considering that ColdFusion applications often handle sensitive data, making the disclosure of database structures particularly dangerous. The vendor's response disputing the severity of this issue reflects a common tension in security assessments where the perceived risk may be lower when proper security configurations are in place, yet the vulnerability remains exploitable in misconfigured environments. Organizations running ColdFusion 9.0.1 or earlier versions without proper lockdown configurations are particularly vulnerable to this type of reconnaissance attack.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper security configurations as outlined in the ColdFusion Lockdown guide. Key recommendations include disabling site-wide error handlers for production environments, configuring appropriate debug output settings, and implementing strict input validation for all query parameters. Organizations should also ensure that database connection information is properly secured and that error messages do not reveal internal system details. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and proper access controls can provide additional defense layers. The implementation of comprehensive security hardening procedures should include regular security assessments and configuration reviews to ensure that all recommended lockdown measures are properly implemented. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following security best practices and the principle of least privilege in web application deployment, where production environments should never expose debugging or diagnostic information to external users.