CVE-2026-106617 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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 as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE-269). This flaw allows an attacker to bypass intended security restrictions, effectively escalating privileges from a low-level user account to one capable of executing arbitrary code. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation of user permissions when processing specific requests or accessing internal application components. Instead of strictly enforcing role-based access controls, the software fails to verify whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary authority for the requested action, thereby permitting unauthorized operations that should be restricted to administrators or higher-privileged roles.
From a technical perspective, this misconfiguration enables an attacker who has already obtained low-level credentials through phishing, credential stuffing, or other initial access vectors to interact with administrative endpoints or internal APIs without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability does not rely on complex buffer overflows or memory corruption techniques but rather exploits logical errors in the application's security architecture. By manipulating request parameters or headers, an attacker can trigger functions that are intended for privileged users only. This bypass of authentication and authorization logic is a significant deviation from secure coding practices outlined in standards such as OWASP Top 10, particularly under categories related to broken access control. The scope change indicates that the impact extends beyond the immediate user context, potentially affecting other system resources or data stored within the ColdFusion environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. If an attacker successfully exploits this flaw, they can execute commands on the underlying operating system with the same privileges as the ColdFusion service account. This capability allows for complete compromise of the affected server, including theft of sensitive data, installation of malware, pivoting to other systems within the network, and modification or deletion of critical files. The fact that exploitation does not require user interaction significantly lowers the barrier for attack, making it suitable for automated scanning tools and widespread propagation campaigns. Attackers can target this vulnerability remotely over standard web protocols without needing social engineering tactics to trick users into clicking malicious links or downloading infected attachments.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate patching and rigorous access control reviews. Organizations running Adobe ColdFusion should apply the latest security updates provided by Adobe, which address these authorization flaws in specific versions of the software. In addition to applying patches, administrators should enforce strict network segmentation to limit exposure of ColdFusion instances to only necessary IP addresses or subnets. Implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) can provide an additional layer of defense by filtering out malicious requests that attempt to exploit known vulnerability patterns. Furthermore, adopting the principle of least privilege is essential; service accounts running ColdFusion should be configured with minimal system permissions to reduce the impact if exploitation occurs. Regular audits of user roles and permissions within the ColdFusion administrator console are also recommended to ensure no unnecessary elevated privileges have been assigned to low-level users.