CVE-2025-43565 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2025
ColdFusion versions 2025.1, 2023.13, 2021.19 and earlier are affected by an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. A high-privileged attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass security protections and execute code. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction and scope is changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2025
This vulnerability resides within Adobe ColdFusion platforms affecting versions 2025.1, 2023.13, 2021.19 and earlier releases, representing a critical authorization flaw that fundamentally undermines the security model of these applications. The issue manifests as an incorrect authorization vulnerability that allows attackers to bypass established security controls and execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user. This weakness specifically targets the authorization mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access to system resources and functionality. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple major versions of the ColdFusion platform, indicating a widespread exposure across different release cycles. The flaw enables high-privileged attackers to leverage existing access privileges to escalate their capabilities and execute malicious code without proper authentication or authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions and access controls within the ColdFusion runtime environment. When legitimate users attempt to access protected resources or execute specific functions, the authorization system fails to properly verify their credentials or privileges, creating an entry point for malicious actors. This authorization bypass occurs during critical operations where the system should enforce strict access controls but instead allows unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability's design flaw likely involves insufficient input validation, weak session management, or improper privilege escalation handling within the ColdFusion security framework. The system's trust model appears to be compromised, allowing attackers to manipulate authorization decisions through crafted requests or by exploiting existing authenticated sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a pathway for complete system compromise when combined with user interaction requirements. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to data theft, system manipulation, or further lateral movement within the network. The requirement for user interaction suggests that the exploitation may involve social engineering or phishing techniques to gain initial access, after which the authorization bypass allows for deeper system penetration. This vulnerability affects organizations using ColdFusion applications for web services, content management, or enterprise applications, potentially exposing sensitive data and critical business processes. The scope change aspect indicates that the vulnerability's impact extends beyond the initial attack surface, allowing attackers to access additional resources or functions that should normally be restricted.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including applying the latest security patches from Adobe and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions of ColdFusion that address the authorization bypass mechanism, while also implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and enhanced monitoring. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and establish monitoring procedures for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack framework, particularly those involving privilege escalation and code execution through authorization bypass techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper authorization controls in enterprise applications. The presence of such flaws in widely used platforms like ColdFusion highlights the need for continuous security monitoring and rapid response capabilities. From a compliance perspective, organizations must ensure their security measures align with industry standards including those outlined in the CWE catalog for authorization bypass vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, where attackers leverage system weaknesses to gain elevated access rights. Proper incident response procedures should be established to detect and respond to exploitation attempts, including log analysis for unusual authorization patterns and user behavior monitoring that could indicate unauthorized access attempts.