CVE-2013-5328 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion 10 before Update 12 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2021
Adobe ColdFusion 10 before Update 12 contains a critical file inclusion vulnerability that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and represents a significant security flaw that could allow unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the ColdFusion application server, particularly in how it handles file operations and object references.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file access requests in ways that bypass normal security controls. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read sensitive files such as configuration files, source code, and potentially database credentials or other system information that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a common weakness in web applications where path traversal attacks can occur. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input that is used in file operations, allowing malicious actors to construct paths that traverse the file system beyond intended boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5328 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially gain access to sensitive application data, system configuration files, and other resources that could be used for further exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries attempt to access data repositories to extract valuable information. The risk is particularly elevated because ColdFusion applications often handle sensitive business data and may contain proprietary code or configuration information that could be valuable to attackers.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to limit access to ColdFusion applications, and conducting thorough security assessments of their ColdFusion installations. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, restricting file access permissions, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for timely security updates in enterprise web applications. This issue also highlights the necessity of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.