CVE-2015-0345 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion 10 before Update 16 and 11 before Update 5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0345 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 10 prior to Update 16 and 11 prior to Update 5. This vulnerability resides within the web application framework's handling of user-supplied input, creating a persistent security risk that enables remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of affected applications. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could be exploited through multiple entry points within the ColdFusion administration interface or web application components, making the attack surface particularly broad and difficult to predict.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within ColdFusion's processing pipeline. When user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages, attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of unsuspecting users. This particular flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the ColdFusion administrator console and web application frameworks where user input is processed without sufficient sanitization measures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness involving improper validation of input data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on ColdFusion for web application deployment and management. Attackers exploiting this flaw could potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized transactions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. The impact extends beyond simple script injection as it could enable privilege escalation attacks and serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting languages and T1566 which encompasses social engineering attacks that leverage web-based exploits.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of Adobe's security patches and updates specifically designed to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing comprehensive input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and regular security assessments of ColdFusion applications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust application security practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in enterprise web applications.