CVE-2023-38205 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 09/14/2023
Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018u18 (and earlier), 2021u8 (and earlier) and 2023u2 (and earlier) are affected by an Improper Access Control vulnerability that could result in a Security feature bypass. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access the administration CFM and CFC endpoints. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2025
Adobe ColdFusion is a comprehensive web application development platform that enables organizations to build and deploy dynamic web applications. The platform provides a rich set of features including administration interfaces, component-based development capabilities, and various security mechanisms designed to protect web applications from unauthorized access. However, a critical Improper Access Control vulnerability has been identified in multiple versions of this software, creating a significant security risk for affected organizations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks within the application's security framework, allowing unauthorized parties to bypass normal access controls and gain access to sensitive administrative resources.
The technical flaw manifests in the form of inadequate access control validation mechanisms within the ColdFusion administration endpoints. Specifically, the vulnerability affects the CFM and CFC file access controls that should normally restrict access to administrative functions and configuration interfaces. Attackers can exploit this weakness to directly access administration CFM and CFC endpoints without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability exists because the system fails to properly validate user privileges before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. This type of flaw falls under CWE-284, which specifically addresses Improper Access Control issues in software systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require any user interaction from the victim, meaning attackers can exploit it passively without needing to trick users into performing specific actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected ColdFusion versions. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the ColdFusion administration interface, which provides full control over the web application server. This access enables attackers to modify application configurations, deploy malicious code, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate their privileges within the system. The administration interface typically contains critical functions such as server configuration management, application deployment capabilities, and user management features that could be leveraged to establish persistent access or cause system-wide damage. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could use compromised administrative access to maintain persistence and further exploit the system. Organizations may experience data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations depending on the nature of the data handled by the affected applications.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability and protect their ColdFusion installations. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to patched versions of Adobe ColdFusion, specifically versions 2018u19, 2021u9, or 2023u3, which contain the necessary security fixes. In addition to upgrading, organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the administration endpoints, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach these critical interfaces. Security controls should include implementing strong authentication mechanisms, disabling unnecessary administrative interfaces, and monitoring access logs for suspicious activities. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to administration ports and endpoints from trusted networks only. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as outlined in security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-40 and ISO 27001. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to quickly address any potential compromise.