CVE-2022-38422 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 information disclosure. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2022
Adobe ColdFusion contains a critical path traversal vulnerability that allows attackers to access files outside of the intended directory structure without requiring any user interaction. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of file paths during file operations, enabling malicious actors to navigate beyond restricted directories and potentially access sensitive system files or configuration data. The flaw affects Adobe ColdFusion versions Update 14 and earlier, as well as Update 4 and earlier releases, making it a widespread issue across multiple product versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of file path parameters within the ColdFusion application server. When ColdFusion processes file operations, it fails to adequately sanitize or validate the pathname inputs, allowing attackers to manipulate directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to move up directory levels. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of pathname to restricted directory, a well-known vulnerability pattern that has been consistently identified in software security assessments. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where file system operations are performed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web requests or API calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive data that may include database credentials, application configuration files, source code, or other system artifacts. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain insights into the application architecture, identify potential further attack vectors, and potentially escalate their privileges within the system. The lack of user interaction requirement means that this vulnerability can be exploited automatically through web crawlers or automated scanning tools, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential for widespread exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on ColdFusion for web application hosting and may be exploited to compromise entire application environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the path traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization of file path parameters. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of ColdFusion applications to untrusted networks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all ColdFusion installations within their environment and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application), indicating that exploitation typically involves reconnaissance and automated attack techniques. Organizations must also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access to sensitive files and maintain audit logs for forensic analysis purposes.