CVE-2026-34635 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2026
is affected by a Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerability that could result in a Security feature bypass. A low-privileged attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass security measures and gain unauthorized read and write access. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction. Scope is changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw classified as a use of hard-coded cryptographic key, which falls under the CWE-327 weakness category focusing on the use of insecure or weak cryptographic algorithms. The presence of hardcoded cryptographic keys within application code creates a fundamental weakness that directly undermines the security model of the affected system. When cryptographic keys are embedded directly into source code or configuration files, they become permanently exposed to anyone with access to the application binaries or source repositories, effectively eliminating the cryptographic protection mechanisms that should safeguard sensitive operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass security features by simply extracting and utilizing the hardcoded key for authentication or encryption purposes. This type of flaw typically occurs when developers hardcode secret keys, certificates, or cryptographic parameters directly into their applications during development phases without proper security considerations. The low-privileged attacker profile indicates that even users with minimal system permissions can exploit this weakness to achieve unauthorized access to system resources. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can potentially escalate to broader system compromise depending on the scope of functionality protected by the compromised cryptographic key.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform read and write operations that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The security feature bypass occurs because the hardcoded key eliminates any meaningful authentication or authorization checks that would normally prevent unauthorized system interactions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate sensitive data, modify system configurations, or gain elevated privileges within the affected environment. The lack of required user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it allows for automated exploitation without the need for social engineering or complex attack chains.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including credential access and privilege escalation pathways. The scope change mentioned in the description indicates that this vulnerability can potentially affect multiple system components or user accounts, amplifying its overall impact. Organizations should implement comprehensive key management strategies including dynamic key generation, secure key storage mechanisms, and regular security audits to prevent such issues. Mitigation efforts must include code reviews focusing on cryptographic implementation patterns, deployment of automated security scanning tools, and establishment of proper key lifecycle management processes that align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and avoiding hard-coded secrets in production systems to maintain effective security controls and prevent unauthorized system compromise.