CVE-2026-106621 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
ColdFusion is affected by an Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within Adobe ColdFusion, classified under CWE-94 as Improper Control of Generation of Code or 'Code Injection'. This category of vulnerabilities occurs when an application constructs code from externally influenced input without sufficiently verifying that the input cannot cause unintended execution. In this specific instance, the defect allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user process. The severity is amplified by the fact that exploitation does not require any form of user interaction, meaning a remote attacker can trigger the vulnerability autonomously through network requests rather than relying on social engineering or physical access to initiate an exploit chain.
From a technical perspective, this flaw likely stems from insufficient sanitization or validation mechanisms when processing dynamic inputs within ColdFusion's scripting engine or tag-based architecture. When user-supplied data is directly concatenated into code strings without proper escaping or context-aware parsing, the interpreter may execute commands that were not originally intended by the application developer. This bypasses standard security controls because the injected code runs with the same privileges as the ColdFusion service account. Consequently, an attacker can manipulate system variables, invoke operating system commands, or access sensitive files depending on the permissions granted to the underlying process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. Since arbitrary code execution is achieved in the context of the current user, the scope of damage extends beyond simple data theft. An attacker can compromise the integrity and availability of the entire server infrastructure hosting ColdFusion applications. This includes the potential to install backdoors, pivot into other internal network segments, exfiltrate confidential business logic or customer data, and disrupt critical services. The lack of required user interaction makes this a high-risk vector for automated scanning tools and widespread attacks across the internet, as any exposed instance becomes an immediate target without needing targeted social engineering efforts against specific individuals.
In alignment with industry frameworks, this vulnerability maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically where attackers use system commands or scripts to execute malicious payloads after gaining initial access through the code injection flaw. It also relates to CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command if the injected code results in shell command execution. Defense-in-depth strategies are essential for mitigation. Immediate remediation involves applying the latest security patches provided by Adobe, which address the specific input validation gaps responsible for this injection point. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict network segmentation to limit exposure of ColdFusion instances to only necessary IP ranges and utilize Web Application Firewalls configured with rulesets capable of detecting code injection patterns in HTTP requests. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing are recommended to identify similar weaknesses across the application portfolio before they can be exploited by malicious actors.