CVE-2026-48281 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 06/30/2026
ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction. Scope is changed.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical improper input validation flaw affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier, which can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user context. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the application's processing pipeline, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized code. According to CWE-20 standards, this classification indicates a fundamental weakness in input sanitization mechanisms that allows unexpected data to traverse application boundaries without adequate protection. The security implications are severe as exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for automated attack scenarios where attackers can leverage the vulnerability through direct network access or compromised systems.
The technical flaw manifests when ColdFusion applications process unvalidated input through various processing functions, including but not limited to file operations, system command execution, or dynamic code evaluation components. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass existing validation checks, potentially manipulating application behavior to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability impacts the application's core security model by allowing privilege escalation within the context of the running ColdFusion service account, which could provide attackers with elevated access levels depending on the system configuration and user permissions. The lack of user interaction requirement significantly increases exploitability as it eliminates the need for social engineering or phishing attacks, making this a particularly concerning threat vector for network-based attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access within affected environments. Organizations running vulnerable ColdFusion versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive applications and data repositories that may contain proprietary information, customer data, or business-critical resources. The vulnerability's scope changes indicate that the attack surface has been expanded beyond initial assessment, potentially affecting additional application components or integration points within the ColdFusion ecosystem. This could include web services, database connections, file system operations, and other interconnected components that rely on proper input validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected ColdFusion versions to address the underlying input validation deficiencies. Organizations must implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual file access patterns, unexpected system command executions, or unauthorized network connections. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to ColdFusion applications, particularly restricting direct external access where possible. Additionally, implementing strict input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, including web application firewalls and custom sanitization routines, can provide defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, this vulnerability aligns with techniques that enable adversaries to execute malicious code through compromised applications, making proper input validation essential for preventing such attack vectors. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential additional weaknesses in application configurations or custom code implementations that may compound the risk associated with this vulnerability.