CVE-2022-38418 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2022
Adobe ColdFusion versions Update 14 (and earlier) and Update 4 (and earlier) are affected by an Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2022
Adobe ColdFusion represents a widely deployed enterprise web application platform that processes dynamic content and serves as a foundation for numerous business-critical applications. The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-38418 manifests as an improper limitation of pathname to a restricted directory, commonly categorized as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerability. This flaw exists within the application's file handling mechanisms where input validation fails to properly restrict file access attempts that could bypass intended directory boundaries. The vulnerability affects specific versions including Adobe ColdFusion Update 14 and earlier, as well as Update 4 and earlier releases, indicating this represents a persistent issue across multiple release cycles. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability allows attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy by manipulating input parameters that are processed by the ColdFusion engine. The root cause stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input that is subsequently used in file system operations, enabling malicious actors to access files outside of the intended application directories. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability, a well-documented issue in software security that has been exploited in numerous high-profile incidents. The exploitation of this vulnerability does not require any user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged through automated attacks or by simply accessing specific URLs or endpoints that trigger the vulnerable code path. Attackers can potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the ColdFusion service account, which could lead to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple file access as the vulnerability could allow attackers to read sensitive configuration files, access database credentials, or even upload malicious files that could be executed as part of the application's processing pipeline. This represents a critical security gap that could enable attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network infrastructure. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe ColdFusion face significant risk as the vulnerability provides a direct pathway for unauthorized access to system resources. The attack surface includes any functionality that processes file paths or handles user input that could influence file system operations within the ColdFusion environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through various methods including web application attacks. The lack of user interaction requirement means that attacks can be launched automatically without the need for social engineering or phishing campaigns, making the attack vector more accessible to threat actors. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, implementing network segmentation to limit access to ColdFusion servers, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and implementing robust input validation controls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly simple input validation flaws can create catastrophic security implications, emphasizing the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments in enterprise software environments.