CVE-2020-9673 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe ColdFusion 2016 update 15 and earlier versions, and ColdFusion 2018 update 9 and earlier versions have a dll search-order hijacking vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
Adobe ColdFusion versions 2016 update 15 and earlier, as well as ColdFusion 2018 update 9 and earlier, contain a critical dll search-order hijacking vulnerability that presents significant security risks for affected systems. This vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of dynamic link library loading sequences, where the software does not correctly prioritize system directories when resolving library dependencies. The flaw allows attackers to place malicious dll files in locations that are searched before legitimate system libraries, creating opportunities for code execution and privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses issues where applications search for libraries in insecure paths that could be manipulated by attackers. The vulnerability affects the core ColdFusion runtime environment and can be exploited by adversaries who gain access to systems running these vulnerable versions. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as the privilege escalation capabilities can allow attackers to gain administrative access to the affected systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as exploitation typically involves leveraging the search-order hijacking to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because ColdFusion installations often run with high privileges and may be accessible from network-facing services, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access. The search-order hijacking occurs when the application's dynamic library loader follows a predictable path that includes user-writable directories, allowing malicious actors to place their own dll files in these locations and have them loaded automatically. This flaw represents a classic example of insecure library loading practices that have been documented in numerous security advisories and represents a significant gap in the application's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass long-term system compromise and data integrity risks. Systems running vulnerable ColdFusion versions may experience unauthorized access to sensitive applications and data stored within the ColdFusion environment, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The privilege escalation aspect means that even if an attacker initially gains access through a lower-privilege account, they can leverage this vulnerability to elevate their privileges to system administrator level. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise environments where ColdFusion servers are commonly deployed. Organizations with multiple ColdFusion installations across different environments face compounded risk as the vulnerability affects both major product lines and multiple update versions. The vulnerability's network accessibility makes it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications, as attackers can potentially exploit it remotely without requiring physical access to the system. The exploitation process typically involves placing malicious dll files in directories that are searched before legitimate system libraries, often leveraging the application's installation directory or other predictable locations. This vulnerability can be particularly challenging to detect and remediate as it may not produce obvious error messages or system warnings during normal operation, allowing attackers to maintain access undetected. The attack surface includes not only direct exploitation but also potential use in combination with other vulnerabilities, creating opportunities for advanced persistent threats. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where ColdFusion is used for critical business applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and implementation of additional security controls to reduce the attack surface. The primary recommendation is to update all affected ColdFusion installations to versions that have addressed this dll search-order hijacking vulnerability, as Adobe has released patches specifically targeting this issue. Organizations should implement strict directory permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to ColdFusion installation directories, particularly those containing dll libraries. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running ColdFusion services with minimal necessary permissions and avoiding execution with administrative privileges. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to ColdFusion servers to only necessary internal systems and users. Additional mitigations include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which dll files can be loaded by ColdFusion processes, and monitoring for suspicious file creation or modification in ColdFusion directories. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized dll file placement in system directories, as this represents a common exploitation technique for this class of vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures that can detect and prevent dll search-order hijacking attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining vulnerable installations within the organization's infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough verification that all ColdFusion instances have been properly updated and that no vulnerable versions remain in production. System hardening practices should be implemented to ensure that the ColdFusion installation environment follows security best practices, including regular patch management processes and security configuration reviews. These measures align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for secure system configuration and vulnerability management.