CVE-2015-5255 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe BlazeDS, as used in ColdFusion 10 before Update 18 and 11 before Update 7 and LiveCycle Data Services 3.0.x before 3.0.0.354175, 3.1.x before 3.1.0.354180, 4.5.x before 4.5.1.354177, 4.6.2.x before 4.6.2.354178, and 4.7.x before 4.7.0.354178, allows remote attackers to send HTTP traffic to intranet servers via a crafted XML document, related to a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2022
Adobe BlazeDS represents a critical server-side request forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5255 that affects multiple versions of Adobe ColdFusion and LiveCycle Data Services. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of XML document content within the BlazeDS framework, creating an avenue for remote attackers to manipulate HTTP requests and potentially access internal network resources. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes crafted XML payloads that contain malicious URIs or URLs, enabling attackers to bypass network segmentation and reach systems that should remain isolated from external access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of XML data structures within the BlazeDS messaging system, which operates as a communication framework for flex applications. When a malicious XML document is processed, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the content before initiating HTTP requests to external endpoints. This processing flaw allows attackers to craft XML payloads containing internal network addresses or URLs that would normally be restricted from direct access by external parties. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-918 as Server-Side Request Forgery, which specifically addresses weaknesses where applications fail to properly validate and restrict HTTP requests initiated from the server side.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to internal network services that are typically protected by firewalls and network segmentation policies. Attackers can leverage this weakness to probe internal systems, potentially identifying sensitive services running on internal ports, conducting port scanning operations, or even accessing internal databases and administrative interfaces. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ColdFusion applications serve as gateways to internal systems, as it could enable lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks that would otherwise be blocked by standard network security controls.
The exploitability of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed ColdFusion installations. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as the attack leverages the application layer to make unauthorized network requests. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe ColdFusion and LiveCycle Data Services should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available updates, network segmentation, and implementing strict XML content validation policies. Additionally, monitoring for unusual outbound HTTP requests and implementing web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth measures against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all external input within server-side applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of communication frameworks that handle external data processing.