CVE-2018-4941 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion Update 5 and earlier versions, ColdFusion 11 Update 13 and earlier versions have an exploitable Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2020
Adobe ColdFusion versions prior to Update 5 and ColdFusion 11 versions prior to Update 13 contain a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This vulnerability resides in the way the application handles user input within its web interface, specifically affecting the administrator console and various web components that process unvalidated parameters. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary script code in the context of a victim's browser, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive information. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which represents one of the most common and dangerous web application security flaws. This weakness directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The security impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to session hijacking, data theft, and potential privilege escalation within the ColdFusion environment. The vulnerability affects the administrator interface where users can upload files, configure settings, and manage application components, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on ColdFusion for business-critical applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that bypass input validation mechanisms and get executed when administrators view affected pages or interact with the vulnerable components. The exploitation process typically involves injecting script tags or other malicious code into parameters that are then reflected back to users without proper sanitization, creating a persistent threat vector. Organizations running vulnerable versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be leveraged for data exfiltration, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and potential lateral movement within network environments where ColdFusion servers are deployed. The issue represents a critical security gap in the input validation and output encoding processes that should have been addressed through proper web application security controls. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe ColdFusion, including both ColdFusion 11 and ColdFusion 12, making it widespread across the Adobe ecosystem. This flaw particularly impacts organizations that have not implemented proper security patches or have legacy systems that cannot be easily updated. The risk is compounded by the fact that administrators often have elevated privileges within the ColdFusion environment, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete control over the application and potentially the underlying infrastructure. Remediation requires immediate patching of affected systems with the latest Adobe ColdFusion updates, which include enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls, regular security assessments, and monitoring for suspicious activities in the ColdFusion administrator console. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation processes to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in web applications. Security teams must prioritize this vulnerability due to its potential for information disclosure and the ease with which it can be exploited by threat actors. Proper security awareness training for administrators is also essential to prevent social engineering attacks that may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems.