CVE-2026-48316 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 07/06/2026
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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical improper input validation flaw affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20, and earlier releases. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the application's processing pipeline, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary code that executes with the privileges of the current user context. This type of weakness aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses Improper Input Validation as a fundamental security flaw that allows attackers to manipulate application behavior through malformed or unexpected input. The vulnerability's classification as remote code execution without user interaction indicates a severe threat vector that can be exploited from any location, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where ColdFusion applications typically process external data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the ColdFusion runtime fails to properly sanitize input parameters before processing them through application logic. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass validation mechanisms and execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The lack of user interaction requirements means that automated attacks can be launched without any human intervention, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking scalable exploitation capabilities. This weakness directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of applications running on vulnerable ColdFusion installations, as successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources.
From an operational impact perspective, organizations running affected ColdFusion versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's ability to execute code in the current user context means that attackers can leverage existing application permissions and access controls to escalate their privileges within the system. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation typically involves executing malicious commands through the vulnerable application interface. The scope change mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests that the attack surface may have been expanded beyond initial assumptions, potentially affecting additional components or processing paths within the ColdFusion runtime.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the input validation gaps that enable this exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring controls should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with code execution attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing robust input sanitization at multiple layers, deploying web application firewalls to filter suspicious requests, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all ColdFusion installations within the environment. Regular security testing and monitoring for indicators of compromise remain essential components of defense-in-depth strategies that help organizations maintain secure ColdFusion deployments while minimizing exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities.