CVE-2026-105901 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2026
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 does not require user interaction. Scope is changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within Adobe ColdFusion, specifically categorized as an Incorrect Authorization flaw. This type of security defect occurs when the application fails to properly verify that the authenticated user has sufficient privileges to perform a requested action or access specific resources. In this instance, the lack of rigorous authorization checks allows individuals with low-privileged accounts to bypass intended restrictions and escalate their permissions within the system environment. The core technical issue lies in the server's inability to correctly map user roles to resource permissions during request processing, thereby granting unauthorized entities control over sensitive operations that should be restricted to administrators or higher-level users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for arbitrary code execution. Because ColdFusion serves as a platform for developing and deploying web applications, it often has deep integration with the underlying operating system and database infrastructure. When an attacker successfully exploits this authorization bypass, they can inject and execute malicious scripts or commands within the context of the current user running the ColdFusion service. This capability transforms what might otherwise be a simple information disclosure into a full system compromise. The attacker gains the ability to manipulate data, install backdoors, pivot to other systems on the network, and exfiltrate sensitive corporate information without detection by standard perimeter defenses that rely solely on authentication rather than granular authorization controls.
A significant characteristic of this exploit vector is its low barrier to entry for attackers. It does not require user interaction such as clicking a malicious link or opening a crafted file, which makes it particularly dangerous in automated attack scenarios. Attackers can leverage scripts and tools to systematically probe the application endpoints, identifying those where authorization checks are missing or flawed. Once identified, these endpoints can be targeted repeatedly until successful exploitation is achieved. The scope change noted in the vulnerability description indicates that the impact extends beyond the immediate user context, potentially affecting other users or system integrity depending on how the executed code interacts with shared resources and services running under the same process identity.
From a classification perspective, this issue aligns directly with CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and unauthorized access, specifically those involving exploitation of misconfigured permissions in web applications. Understanding these mappings is crucial for security teams as it allows them to benchmark their defenses against industry-standard threat models and prioritize remediation efforts based on established risk frameworks rather than ad-hoc assessments.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing robust identity and access management practices within the ColdFusion environment. Administrators should enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that service accounts run with minimal necessary permissions and that application users are assigned only the roles strictly required for their functions. Regular code reviews focusing on authorization logic can help identify missing checks before deployment. Additionally, deploying a Web Application Firewall may provide an additional layer of defense by detecting and blocking requests that exhibit patterns consistent with privilege escalation attempts. Keeping ColdFusion updated to the latest version provided by Adobe is essential, as vendors typically release patches addressing known authorization flaws in subsequent security updates.