CVE-2026-106090 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 does not require user interaction. 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 Incorrect Authorization. This flaw allows an attacker who possesses low-privileged credentials or unauthenticated status to bypass intended security restrictions and escalate their privileges significantly. The core technical issue stems from the application's inability to properly verify whether the requesting user has sufficient permissions to perform specific actions or access certain resources. Instead of enforcing strict role-based or privilege-based checks before executing sensitive operations, the system processes requests based on flawed logic that fails to distinguish between different levels of authority. This misconfiguration effectively neutralizes the protective barriers designed to isolate low-level users from high-impact administrative functions or internal system components.
From a technical perspective, this authorization bypass enables arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user process. In many enterprise deployments, ColdFusion runs with elevated privileges relative to standard web application processes, often having access to file systems, databases, and network resources that are otherwise restricted. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker can inject or trigger malicious scripts, Java classes, or server-side commands that execute with the same rights as the compromised account. The scope change mentioned in the vulnerability description indicates that the impact extends beyond the immediate application context, potentially allowing lateral movement within the internal network or access to sensitive data stores that were previously considered secure from low-privileged users. This transformation of a simple authentication bypass into a full remote code execution vector drastically increases the severity and potential damage of the exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its non-interactive nature and broad accessibility. Since exploitation does not require user interaction, such as clicking a malicious link or opening a crafted file, automated scanning tools can rapidly identify vulnerable instances across an enterprise network. An attacker could leverage this capability to deploy malware, establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate confidential data, or use the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks against other systems. The ability to execute arbitrary code means that the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system are all at risk. In environments where ColdFusion is integrated with critical business applications, this could lead to significant financial loss, regulatory non-compliance due to data breaches, and reputational damage resulting from service disruptions or public exposure of sensitive information.
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations must immediately apply the latest security patches provided by Adobe for their specific version of ColdFusion. It is imperative to verify that all instances are updated to a version where the authorization logic has been corrected to enforce strict permission checks before executing any privileged operations. In addition to patching, administrators should review and harden access control policies, ensuring that the principle of least privilege is strictly enforced across all user roles. Network segmentation can also help limit the blast radius by isolating ColdFusion servers from less secure network zones. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on authorization flaws are recommended to detect similar misconfigurations in other applications. Monitoring logs for unusual activity patterns, such as unexpected administrative actions or attempts to access restricted endpoints, provides an additional layer of defense against exploitation of this type of flaw.
This incident aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-269, which covers Improper Privilege Management, and specifically relates to the failure to enforce proper authorization checks for critical functions. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability facilitates techniques associated with Initial Access via Exploitation of Remote Services and potentially Lateral Movement if the compromised account has broader network access. Understanding these mappings helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on established industry standards and threat intelligence models. By addressing the root cause through rigorous code review and configuration management, organizations can prevent similar authorization bypasses in their software development lifecycle and maintain a robust security posture against evolving cyber threats.