CVE-2026-48364 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20 and earlier are affected by an Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file. Scope is changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical uncontrolled search path element flaw affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.9, 2023.20, and earlier releases. This weakness resides in how the application handles file path resolution during processing operations, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the system's search path and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. The vulnerability falls under the purview of CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which specifically addresses situations where applications use untrusted input to construct search paths without proper validation or sanitization.
The exploitation mechanism requires social engineering through user interaction, specifically demanding that a victim open a malicious file. This attack vector aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1204.002 User Execution: Malicious File, where adversaries rely on users to execute crafted payloads. The requirement for user interaction significantly impacts the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, as many organizations maintain high user engagement with various file types through email attachments, web downloads, and shared documents.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to ColdFusion server environments where users may encounter untrusted files from external sources. The arbitrary code execution capability allows attackers to gain persistent access to systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or establishment of backdoors. The scope change mentioned in the description indicates that the vulnerability's impact extends beyond initial assumptions, possibly affecting additional components within the ColdFusion runtime environment that rely on dynamic path resolution for file operations.
The technical implementation of this flaw likely involves insecure handling of file paths during application processing, where user-supplied input directly influences directory traversal or library loading mechanisms. Attackers could manipulate environmental variables, configuration files, or file system locations to redirect execution flow toward malicious payloads. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where user input often flows through various processing layers before reaching file system operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper path validation and sanitization controls within ColdFusion applications, ensuring that all file path resolution operations use absolute paths rather than relative ones. Organizations must update to patched versions of ColdFusion immediately while implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, sandboxing of file processing operations, and regular monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. Network segmentation and user privilege management can further reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, aligning with defensive measures recommended in cybersecurity frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for secure application development practices.
Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation controls, utilizing secure coding practices that prevent path manipulation through user input, and conducting regular security assessments of ColdFusion applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom code implementations. System administrators should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual file access patterns or unexpected code execution events that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this or related vulnerabilities.