CVE-2026-75998 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
ColdFusion is affected by an Improper Access Control vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary file system read. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive files and directories outside the intended access scope. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2026
The identified vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion represents a critical failure in server-side access control mechanisms, specifically categorized under CWE-284 Improper Access Control. This flaw allows an unauthorized actor to bypass intended security restrictions and perform arbitrary file system read operations on the underlying operating environment. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input when constructing file paths or accessing resources within the ColdFusion application server. By manipulating these inputs, typically through URL parameters or form data that are processed by internal functions responsible for resource retrieval, an attacker can inject directory traversal sequences such as dot-dot-slash patterns to navigate outside the designated web root or restricted directories. This lack of strict path canonicalization and boundary enforcement enables the reading of files that should remain inaccessible, including configuration files containing database credentials, private keys, source code with hardcoded secrets, or sensitive user data stored in local storage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote exploitation without any form of user interaction. Since no authentication or physical presence at a workstation is required, the attack surface is significantly expanded, allowing automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers to target vulnerable instances across the internet with minimal effort. Successful exploitation can lead to comprehensive information disclosure, where an attacker gains visibility into the internal architecture of the application server. This intelligence gathering phase often serves as a precursor to more destructive attacks, such as remote code execution or privilege escalation, by revealing sensitive configuration details that weaken the overall security posture. The ability to read arbitrary files undermines the confidentiality integrity principles essential for secure software operation and can result in significant regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of the exposed data.
From an offensive security perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques observed in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to Collection via File and Directory Discovery or T1083 File and Directory Discovery. Attackers leverage these capabilities to map out the file system structure and identify high-value targets for further exploitation. The absence of required user interaction classifies this as a remote code execution vector in terms of accessibility, although its immediate effect is data exfiltration rather than command execution. This distinction highlights the importance of monitoring server logs for unusual patterns of file access requests that deviate from normal application behavior, such as repeated attempts to access system directories or configuration files outside standard operational paths.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary defense is applying the latest security patches provided by Adobe ColdFusion, which address the specific input validation flaws responsible for this improper access control issue. Organizations should ensure that their patch management processes are agile enough to deploy these updates promptly upon release. In addition to software updates, implementing a Web Application Firewall can provide an additional layer of defense by detecting and blocking requests containing directory traversal patterns or other malicious payloads before they reach the application server. It is also critical to enforce strict file system permissions on the ColdFusion installation directories, ensuring that the service account running the application has only the minimum necessary privileges required for operation, thereby limiting the scope of files an attacker could access even if exploitation occurs. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom code or third-party components integrated within the ColdFusion environment.