CVE-2016-1113 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion 10 before Update 19, 11 before Update 8, and 2016 before Update 1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2022
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1113 affects Adobe ColdFusion versions prior to specific update releases, creating a significant security risk for web applications built on this platform. This vulnerability resides within the core web application framework and represents a classic server-side input validation flaw that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability impacts ColdFusion 10 before Update 19, ColdFusion 11 before Update 8, and ColdFusion 2016 before Update 1, indicating a widespread issue affecting multiple major versions of the software. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability can be exploited through various input points within the ColdFusion application environment, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can identify multiple attack surfaces to target.
This vulnerability manifests as a client-side code injection issue where remote attackers can manipulate application inputs to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser. The technical flaw falls under the category of CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in software applications. The exploitation mechanism allows attackers to bypass normal security controls and execute malicious JavaScript code within the context of legitimate user sessions. This creates a dangerous scenario where attackers can perform actions on behalf of users, steal session cookies, access sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be particularly devastating when combined with other attack vectors within the broader ATT&CK framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1113 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to vulnerable applications and potentially compromise entire web infrastructures. Organizations running affected ColdFusion versions face significant risk of data breaches, user session hijacking, and potential lateral movement within their network environments. The vulnerability can be exploited to manipulate web content, deface websites, or redirect users to phishing sites that can harvest credentials and sensitive information. Given that ColdFusion is widely used for enterprise web applications, the potential for widespread impact is considerable, particularly in environments where the software handles sensitive user data or critical business operations. The vulnerability essentially undermines the trust model of web applications by allowing unauthorized code execution in user browsers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the vendor-provided security patches, specifically updates 19 for ColdFusion 10, Update 8 for ColdFusion 11, and Update 1 for ColdFusion 2016. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures and output encoding to prevent script injection attacks, while also considering web application firewalls as additional protective layers. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors, and security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application behavior. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched applications to ensure that the security updates do not introduce compatibility issues, while also implementing proper access controls and user authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security awareness training for developers to prevent future vulnerabilities of this nature.