CVE-2019-7091 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
ColdFusion versions Update 1 and earlier, Update 7 and earlier, and Update 15 and earlier have a deserialization of untrusted data vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7091 represents a critical deserialization flaw in Adobe ColdFusion platforms affecting multiple update versions including those prior to Update 1, 7, and 15. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure deserialization as defined by CWE-502, where applications process untrusted data through deserialization mechanisms without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw exists in the way ColdFusion handles serialized objects during data processing, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from ColdFusion's handling of serialized data structures within its application framework. When the platform processes serialized objects from untrusted sources, it fails to validate the integrity or authenticity of the serialized data before deserializing it into executable code. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable ColdFusion instance, trigger unintended code execution. The deserialization process typically occurs during normal application operations when data is retrieved from databases, file systems, or network communications, making the attack surface broad and potentially persistent.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7091 is severe and encompasses multiple attack vectors that align with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and script injection. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the ColdFusion application server. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform reconnaissance, establish persistent access, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The vulnerability affects organizations running ColdFusion versions that have not been patched, creating a significant risk for web applications that rely on this platform for business operations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected ColdFusion installations to mitigate this vulnerability. Adobe released security updates for the affected versions, and administrators should apply these patches as soon as possible. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to ColdFusion servers, disabling unnecessary deserialization features, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and other security frameworks, emphasizing the need for organizations to maintain updated security practices and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in their application environments.