CVE-2026-48284 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2026
ColdFusion is 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical improper input validation flaw in Adobe ColdFusion that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code without requiring any user interaction or specific privileges. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the ColdFusion runtime environment, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands through carefully crafted inputs. The security implications are severe as this weakness exists at a fundamental level where input data is processed without adequate sanitization or verification mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by submitting malformed or specially constructed input parameters that bypass normal validation checks, ultimately leading to code execution in the context of the current user account running the ColdFusion application server.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation vulnerabilities where software fails to properly validate or sanitize data received from external sources. This weakness creates a direct path for attackers to manipulate the application's normal execution flow and inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the ColdFusion service account. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically through network-based attacks without any human intervention. The scope of this vulnerability encompasses all versions of ColdFusion where input validation mechanisms are insufficient to prevent malicious data injection attempts.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of the affected ColdFusion server and potentially the entire underlying system. Attackers may gain access to sensitive application data, modify or delete critical files, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution as it can facilitate lateral movement, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration activities that align with multiple tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases. Organizations running ColdFusion applications face significant risk exposure, particularly those with internet-facing applications or minimal network segmentation controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Adobe, implementing robust input validation mechanisms at all application layers, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns. Additional defensive measures include restricting network access to ColdFusion servers, implementing proper authentication and authorization controls, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the application ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates urgent attention from security teams to assess their current protection posture and implement layered defense strategies that align with industry best practices for securing enterprise web applications against sophisticated attack vectors.