CVE-2026-75995 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2026
ColdFusion is affected by an Improper Input Validation 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. The vulnerable component is restricted to an administrative network zone by default. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction. Scope is changed.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within the Adobe ColdFusion application server, specifically categorized as Improper Input Validation leading to Arbitrary Code Execution. This type of weakness occurs when an application fails to adequately sanitize or validate data inputs before processing them, allowing malicious actors to inject commands that are subsequently executed by the underlying system. In this specific instance, the vulnerability resides in a component that is typically restricted to an administrative network zone by default configuration settings. While this architectural isolation provides a layer of defense-in-depth against external threats from untrusted networks, it does not eliminate risk entirely, particularly for attackers who have already gained access to the internal infrastructure or possess elevated privileges within the local environment.
The technical nature of this flaw allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user running the ColdFusion service. This implies that if an attacker successfully exploits the input validation failure, they can execute system-level commands with the same permissions as the application server process itself. The scope change noted in the vulnerability description indicates a shift from affecting only the vulnerable component to potentially impacting other security properties or resources within the environment. For instance, code execution might allow access to sensitive files, modification of configuration settings, or lateral movement across connected systems if the service account has broad permissions. This escalation is particularly dangerous because it bypasses standard application-level controls and operates directly at the operating system level.
From an operational perspective, while the vulnerability requires high privileges for exploitation in its default state, this does not render it harmless. High-privilege accounts are often targeted by insider threats or compromised administrative credentials resulting from phishing or credential stuffing attacks. Furthermore, if network segmentation is misconfigured or if there are trusted relationships between zones that allow traffic flow to the administrative zone, external attackers could potentially reach this component. The fact that exploitation does not require user interaction means that once an attacker has a foothold in the appropriate network segment and valid credentials, they can automate the attack without needing to trick specific users into clicking links or opening files, significantly lowering the barrier for successful compromise.
To mitigate these risks, organizations must ensure that ColdFusion administrative interfaces are strictly isolated within secure management networks with robust access controls such as multi-factor authentication and IP whitelisting. Regular patching is essential, as Adobe releases updates to address known input validation flaws in newer versions of the platform. Additionally, implementing strict network segmentation policies ensures that even if an attacker gains high-level credentials on a general-purpose server, they cannot easily reach the administrative zone hosting ColdFusion components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual process creation or command execution patterns originating from application servers, which could indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.
In terms of industry standards and frameworks, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, as the core issue is the failure to properly check incoming data for malicious content. It also relates to CWE-78 OS Command Injection if the input validation flaw allows direct command execution. From a tactical standpoint, according to MITRE ATT&CK, this could be associated with T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter or T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, depending on how the code is delivered and executed within the environment. Understanding these mappings helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on established threat intelligence and common attack patterns observed in enterprise environments.