CVE-2018-4942 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion Update 5 and earlier versions, ColdFusion 11 Update 13 and earlier versions have an exploitable Unsafe XML External Entity Processing vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
Adobe ColdFusion versions prior to Update 5 and ColdFusion 11 versions prior to Update 13 contain a critical vulnerability in their XML processing implementation that allows attackers to exploit unsafe external entity processing. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-611 weakness category, specifically addressing unsafe XML external entity processing which enables attackers to manipulate XML parsers and potentially access sensitive system resources. The flaw exists in how the ColdFusion application server handles XML input processing, particularly when parsing XML documents that contain external entity references. When an attacker crafts malicious XML content with external entity declarations, the ColdFusion server may resolve these entities and potentially disclose internal system information or files. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for XML External Entity Processing and T1082 for system information discovery, as it allows for reconnaissance activities that can reveal system configurations and potentially sensitive data. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access local files, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core XML processing functionality within ColdFusion's application server, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web application interfaces, API endpoints, and file upload mechanisms that process XML data. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data exposure and system compromise, particularly in environments where ColdFusion serves as a backend processing platform for critical applications. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it a high-impact vulnerability for organizations with legacy ColdFusion installations. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure XML processing practices in enterprise web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting XML payloads that reference external entities, which when processed by the vulnerable ColdFusion server can result in unauthorized information disclosure. The flaw occurs because the XML parser used by ColdFusion does not properly restrict external entity resolution, allowing attackers to reference external resources that can be controlled by the attacker. This vulnerability can be exploited through various means including direct XML input processing, file upload functionality, or through web services that accept XML data. The impact of successful exploitation includes potential access to server files, system configuration details, database connection strings, and other sensitive information that could be used for further attacks. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be leveraged to perform server-side request forgery attacks, where the vulnerable server makes requests to internal systems that would normally be inaccessible from external networks. The vulnerability's classification as a high-risk issue stems from its ability to provide attackers with detailed system information that can be used to plan more targeted attacks. Organizations should note that this vulnerability affects not only the primary ColdFusion server functionality but also any applications built on top of the ColdFusion platform that process XML data. The exploitation requires no specialized tools beyond standard web application penetration testing frameworks and can be automated using existing attack scripts. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be discovered and exploited by both skilled attackers and automated scanning tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected ColdFusion installations to versions that properly address XML external entity processing. Organizations should ensure all ColdFusion servers are updated to at least Update 5 for ColdFusion 10 or Update 13 for ColdFusion 11, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement strict XML input validation and sanitization measures within their applications to prevent malicious XML content from reaching the vulnerable XML parser. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to ColdFusion server endpoints and restrict external access to XML processing interfaces. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in XML processing activities and potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify any applications that may be using vulnerable ColdFusion components or that have not been properly patched. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish procedures for regularly reviewing and updating their ColdFusion installations to ensure they remain protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Incident response plans should include specific procedures for handling potential exploitation of this vulnerability, including system isolation, forensic analysis, and communication protocols for affected stakeholders. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect enterprise applications from exploitation attempts.