CVE-2013-5326 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion 9.0 before Update 12, 9.0.1 before Update 11, 9.0.2 before Update 6, and 10 before Update 12, when the CFIDE directory is available, allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors related to the logviewer directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2024
The CVE-2013-5326 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Adobe ColdFusion versions prior to specific update releases, including ColdFusion 9.0 before Update 12, 9.0.1 before Update 11, 9.0.2 before Update 6, and version 10 before Update 12. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the CFIDE directory remains accessible within the application server configuration. The flaw resides in the logviewer functionality within the logviewer directory, creating an attack surface that allows remote authenticated users to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and represents a significant concern within the application security landscape. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the ColdFusion administration interface components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated user sessions that can manipulate parameters within the logviewer functionality. Attackers leveraging this flaw can inject arbitrary web script or HTML code that executes in the browser of authenticated users who access the vulnerable logviewer interface. This typically involves crafting malicious payloads that bypass existing security controls within the ColdFusion application server, particularly focusing on the handling of log file data within the CFIDE directory structure. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate administrative privileges could potentially exploit this flaw to compromise other users within the same application environment. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of malicious inputs to execute code in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5326 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. When the CFIDE directory remains accessible, it provides an attack surface that can be leveraged to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the underlying application infrastructure. Organizations running affected ColdFusion versions face significant risk, particularly in environments where administrative users maintain persistent sessions or where the application handles sensitive data. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple major versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the input sanitization process within the ColdFusion administration components, making it a particularly concerning issue for enterprise security teams. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or applications where administrative users have broad access rights.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the relevant security updates released by Adobe, specifically targeting the mentioned update versions for each affected ColdFusion release. Organizations should immediately implement the recommended patches for ColdFusion 9.0.1 through Update 11, 9.0.2 through Update 6, and version 10 through Update 12. Beyond patching, security teams should consider implementing additional controls such as disabling the CFIDE directory if it is not required for administrative operations, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting thorough security assessments of the application's input handling mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly for users with administrative privileges. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date application security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent threats in web application environments.