CVE-2017-3066 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion 2016 Update 3 and earlier, ColdFusion 11 update 11 and earlier, ColdFusion 10 Update 22 and earlier have a Java deserialization vulnerability in the Apache BlazeDS library. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2025
Adobe ColdFusion versions 2016 Update 3 and earlier, ColdFusion 11 update 11 and earlier, and ColdFusion 10 Update 22 and earlier contain a critical Java deserialization vulnerability within the Apache BlazeDS library component. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the deserialization process of Java objects, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly validate and sanitize serialized data received from untrusted sources, allowing malicious payloads to be executed with the privileges of the ColdFusion application. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise web applications. The Apache BlazeDS library handles remote procedure calls and data serialization for ColdFusion applications, and the insecure deserialization implementation allows attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable ColdFusion application, trigger unintended code execution. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-502, which describes the weakness of deserializing untrusted data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through deserialization attacks. The impact of successful exploitation includes complete system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement within networks, and potential establishment of persistent backdoors. Organizations running affected ColdFusion versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and system infiltration, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to gain full control over the affected web servers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires attackers to craft malicious serialized Java objects that can be sent to the vulnerable ColdFusion application through BlazeDS endpoints. These objects typically contain malicious code that executes when the deserialization process occurs, often leveraging gadgets from popular Java libraries such as Commons Collections or other deserialization frameworks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because ColdFusion applications often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive data, databases, and network resources. Attackers can use this vulnerability to execute commands on the underlying operating system, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and further network compromise. The attack surface is broad since BlazeDS is commonly used for remote data access and web services within ColdFusion applications, making the exploitation vector accessible through various application interfaces. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be exploited through HTTP requests that contain specially crafted serialized data, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the deserialization process means that even seemingly benign data can be transformed into malicious payloads when processed by the vulnerable application. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how insecure deserialization can lead to remote code execution, making it a primary target for automated exploitation tools and advanced persistent threats. Organizations should note that this vulnerability affects multiple major versions of Adobe ColdFusion, indicating a widespread exposure across enterprise environments that rely on these web application platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3066 should focus on immediate patching of affected ColdFusion versions to the latest available updates that contain fixes for the Apache BlazeDS deserialization vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable ColdFusion applications to untrusted networks. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious serialized data attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected ColdFusion installations within their environments and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Disabling unnecessary BlazeDS endpoints and restricting external access to ColdFusion applications can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and code integrity monitoring to prevent execution of unauthorized code. The remediation process should include not only patching the vulnerable software but also reviewing and strengthening input validation mechanisms throughout the application stack. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual deserialization patterns and anomalous network traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that the implemented mitigations remain effective against evolving attack techniques targeting similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against critical remote code execution vulnerabilities in web application frameworks.