CVE-2026-105898 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
ColdFusion is affected by an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file. Scope is changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within Adobe ColdFusion, specifically categorized under the domain of Incorrect Authorization. This flaw allows an attacker to bypass intended security restrictions, leading to unauthorized actions that escalate privileges beyond what was originally granted. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation of user permissions when processing specific inputs or requests. Instead of verifying whether the authenticated user has the necessary rights to perform a particular operation, the application proceeds with the action based on flawed logic or missing checks in the authorization layer. This misconfiguration effectively neutralizes the security boundary between low-privileged users and higher-level system functions, creating a pathway for privilege escalation within the context of the current session.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to the integrity and availability of systems running ColdFusion. Because the flaw results in arbitrary code execution, an attacker who successfully exploits this issue can run malicious scripts or commands with the same privileges as the application server process. This capability transforms a simple unauthorized access attempt into a full system compromise. The impact is particularly acute because it affects low-privileged attackers, meaning that even users with minimal initial access rights can leverage this flaw to gain significant control over the environment. Such escalation often leads to data exfiltration, modification of critical application files, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure, severely undermining the confidentiality and integrity guarantees provided by standard authentication protocols.
The exploitation vector for this vulnerability requires user interaction, which classifies it as a social engineering-dependent attack surface in many scenarios. Specifically, a victim must open a malicious file to trigger the exploit condition. This requirement implies that attackers may employ phishing campaigns or distribute compromised documents designed to interact with ColdFusion components upon opening. Once triggered, the application processes the input without adequate authorization checks, allowing the embedded payload to execute within the server environment. The change in scope indicates that the impact extends beyond the immediate user session, potentially affecting other users or system resources depending on how the executed code interacts with shared services and databases associated with the ColdFusion instance.
In terms of industry standard classifications, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-269, which denotes Improper Privilege Management, as it involves a failure to enforce proper access controls for elevated functions. Furthermore, the exploitation technique maps to MITRE ATT&CK tactics related to Initial Access and Execution, specifically leveraging user interaction through malicious files to establish a foothold and execute arbitrary code. Understanding these mappings is crucial for security teams aiming to detect similar patterns in network traffic or endpoint logs. The reliance on file opening suggests that input validation failures are likely present alongside the authorization bypass, highlighting the need for robust defense-in-depth strategies rather than relying solely on perimeter controls.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must prioritize immediate patching of Adobe ColdFusion to the latest version provided by the vendor, which addresses these specific authorization flaws. In addition to software updates, implementing strict input validation and output encoding can help prevent the execution of malicious payloads even if they are introduced via file uploads or document processing features. Security teams should also enforce least-privilege principles for application service accounts, ensuring that the ColdFusion process runs with minimal permissions necessary for its operation. This limits the potential damage of arbitrary code execution by restricting access to sensitive system directories and resources. Regular security audits focusing on authorization logic and continuous monitoring for anomalous file interactions will further strengthen the defense posture against such exploitation attempts.