CVE-2018-4939 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion Update 5 and earlier versions, ColdFusion 11 Update 13 and earlier versions have an exploitable Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
Adobe ColdFusion versions prior to Update 5 and ColdFusion 11 versions prior to Update 13 contain a critical deserialization vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of untrusted data during the deserialization process, creating a pathway for remote code execution. The flaw exists in the way ColdFusion processes serialized objects, particularly when handling certain data structures that are not properly validated or sanitized before being deserialized. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-502, Deserialization of Untrusted Data, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that has been exploited in numerous high-profile incidents.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can manipulate serialized data that is subsequently processed by ColdFusion's deserialization mechanisms. When the application receives maliciously crafted serialized objects, typically through web requests or file uploads, the deserialization process can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This occurs because the deserialization process does not adequately validate the source or integrity of the serialized data, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that are then executed with the privileges of the ColdFusion application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it a prime target for automated attacks. This attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can provide attackers with complete control over affected systems. Once successfully exploited, attackers can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within networks. The vulnerability affects both ColdFusion 11 and ColdFusion 12, making it particularly widespread across organizations that have not applied the necessary security updates. Organizations running these vulnerable versions are at significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where ColdFusion is commonly used for web application development and hosting, as it can affect multiple applications running on the same platform. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability is often targeted by automated exploit kits and is frequently exploited in the wild, making immediate remediation essential.
Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided security patches immediately, as Adobe has released updates that address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes not only applying the patches but also implementing network segmentation to limit access to ColdFusion servers, monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities, and conducting thorough security assessments of all ColdFusion applications. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary serialization features, implementing proper input validation, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping software up-to-date and maintaining robust security practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.