CVE-2026-75746 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
ColdFusion is affected by an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. An attacker with high privileges could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction. Scope is changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within Adobe ColdFusion, classified technically as an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. This category of weakness allows an attacker to interfere with the queries that an application makes to its database by inserting malicious SQL statements into input fields or parameters. In this specific instance, the flaw resides within the ColdFusion server software itself rather than a third-party application built on top of it, which significantly elevates the severity and potential impact of the exploit. The core technical failure involves insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied data before it is incorporated into dynamic SQL queries executed by the backend database engine. When special characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or comment markers are not properly escaped or neutralized, they can alter the intended logic of the SQL command. This manipulation enables the injection of arbitrary commands that the database server will execute with the privileges assigned to the ColdFusion service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution without user interaction. Typically, many web application vulnerabilities require a victim to click on a malicious link or upload a specific file, but this flaw can be triggered automatically by an attacker sending crafted network requests directly to the vulnerable ColdFusion endpoints. If successfully exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary operating system commands within the context of the user account under which the ColdFusion application server is running. This effectively compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying host system. The scope change mentioned in the vulnerability description indicates that the impact extends beyond just data theft or modification; it allows for full control over the server environment where ColdFusion resides. An attacker could use this access to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive corporate data, pivot to other systems on the internal network, or disrupt business operations by taking down critical services.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which defines SQL Injection as a subset of injection flaws where untrusted data is sent to an interpreter as part of a command or query. The exploitation technique falls under MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Command and Scripting Interpreter execution, specifically leveraging the database engine itself to perform actions on the host operating system. This type of attack often precedes lateral movement within a network infrastructure, making it a high-priority target for threat actors seeking persistent access or privilege escalation. The lack of requirement for user interaction further classifies this as an automated exploit vector, increasing the risk of widespread compromise through scanning and botnet activity targeting known vulnerable versions of ColdFusion.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate patching and rigorous input validation practices. Administrators should apply the latest security patches provided by Adobe to update their ColdFusion installations to a version that addresses this specific SQL injection flaw. In addition to applying vendor-supplied fixes, organizations should implement defense-in-depth measures such as using parameterized queries or prepared statements in any custom code developed on top of ColdFusion to ensure data separation between logic and execution. Network-level controls are also essential; deploying Web Application Firewalls can help detect and block malicious SQL patterns before they reach the application server. Furthermore, restricting the privileges of the account running the ColdFusion service is crucial. By adhering to the principle of least privilege, even if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, their ability to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive system resources will be significantly limited, thereby reducing the overall blast radius of a potential compromise. Regular security audits and penetration testing should also be conducted to identify similar injection points in custom applications built on the platform.