CVE-2016-1114 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion 10 before Update 19, 11 before Update 8, and 2016 before Update 1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted serialized Java object, related to the Apache Commons Collections library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2018
Adobe ColdFusion versions prior to specific update releases contain a critical vulnerability that stems from improper handling of serialized Java objects within the application's object deserialization process. This flaw exists within the Apache Commons Collections library implementation that ColdFusion utilizes for processing certain data structures. The vulnerability specifically affects ColdFusion 10 before Update 19, ColdFusion 11 before Update 8, and ColdFusion 2016 before Update 1, creating a persistent security risk across multiple major versions of the platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of serialized Java objects that are processed by ColdFusion's deserialization mechanism. Attackers can craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable ColdFusion application, trigger unintended code execution on the underlying server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of deserialization flaws that are commonly classified as CWE-502, which represents "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and represents one of the most dangerous categories of vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack vector specifically targets the object deserialization process where ColdFusion fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming serialized data before attempting to reconstruct objects from that data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data corruption or service disruption. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected ColdFusion server, potentially leading to full system compromise. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the ColdFusion service account, which typically has significant access to the server's file system, network resources, and potentially other applications running on the same host. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify application behavior, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" when used in conjunction with initial compromise methods.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe because it operates at the application level and can be exploited through standard web-based attack vectors without requiring authentication or special privileges beyond access to the ColdFusion application interface. The exploitation chain typically involves sending a specially crafted HTTP request containing the malicious serialized object to the vulnerable ColdFusion instance, which then processes this object during normal application operation. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by automated scanning tools and does not require sophisticated attack infrastructure. Organizations running affected versions of ColdFusion face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations if their systems are not updated to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the specific deserialization flaw in the Apache Commons Collections library implementation. Additionally, network segmentation, web application firewalls, and monitoring for unusual deserialization activity can provide additional layers of protection while patches are deployed.