CVE-2026-106089 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 the necessary permissions to perform a specific action or access a particular resource. In this instance, the lack of rigorous authorization checks allows any logged-in user, regardless of their assigned privilege level, to bypass intended restrictions and interact with internal system functions that should be reserved for administrators or higher-privileged roles. This misconfiguration fundamentally undermines the principle of least privilege, which is essential for maintaining a secure computing environment by ensuring users only have access to the data and functionality strictly necessary for their role.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability enables an attacker who possesses low-level credentials to execute arbitrary code within the context of the currently authenticated user. The absence of proper authorization checks means that API endpoints or internal functions designed for administrative tasks are accessible without sufficient validation of the caller's rights. When exploited, this flaw allows the execution of malicious commands on the underlying server operating system. Because the exploitation does not require any interaction from a victim other than having valid credentials to log in, it significantly lowers the barrier to entry for attackers. This characteristic classifies the vulnerability as high-risk, particularly in environments where user accounts may have been compromised through phishing or credential stuffing attacks, thereby facilitating lateral movement and deeper system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, potentially leading to a complete takeover of the affected ColdFusion server. An attacker leveraging this flaw can achieve arbitrary code execution with the same privileges as the application process itself. This capability allows for the exfiltration of sensitive data, modification or deletion of critical files, and the installation of backdoors or malware such as ransomware. Furthermore, because the scope is changed from a single-user context to potentially affecting broader system integrity depending on how ColdFusion is deployed, the blast radius extends beyond just the individual account compromised by the attacker. In enterprise environments where ColdFusion serves multiple applications with varying security requirements, this vulnerability can serve as an initial foothold for attackers aiming to pivot into more secure network segments or access high-value assets protected by other perimeter defenses.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately apply the latest patches and updates provided by Adobe that address these authorization flaws in ColdFusion. It is imperative to verify that all instances of the software are updated to a version where these specific access control issues have been resolved. In addition to patching, administrators should review user roles and permissions within the ColdFusion administrator console to ensure that no unnecessary privileges are granted to low-level users. Implementing strict network segmentation can also help limit the impact if an account is compromised by isolating the ColdFusion server from critical databases and other sensitive systems. Regular security audits and penetration testing focused on access control mechanisms should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations before they can be exploited in production environments, ensuring adherence to industry standards such as CWE-269 for Improper Privilege Management and MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution.