CVE-2026-75999 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
ColdFusion is affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerable component is restricted to an administrative network zone by default. 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 • 09/08/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within Adobe ColdFusion, specifically categorized as Improper Input Validation leading to Arbitrary Code Execution. This type of weakness occurs when the application fails to adequately sanitize or validate user-supplied input before processing it, allowing an attacker to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed by the server. In this specific instance, the vulnerability enables a low-privileged attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user running the ColdFusion service. This escalation is particularly dangerous because it bypasses standard authentication and authorization controls, granting the attacker significant control over the underlying operating system processes associated with the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure or denial of service. By achieving arbitrary code execution, an attacker can potentially install backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify configurations, or use the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks against other systems on the network. The scope change indicates that the attack vector allows lateral movement or privilege escalation relative to the initial entry point, meaning the impact is not confined solely to the ColdFusion application layer but extends into the broader system environment where the service operates. This transforms what might have been a contained web application issue into a full server compromise scenario if left unpatched.
A mitigating factor in this specific vulnerability description is that the vulnerable component is restricted to an administrative network zone by default. This architectural design implies that, under standard configurations, external attackers from public networks cannot directly reach the affected code path. The attack surface is significantly reduced because access requires being within a trusted internal segment or having already breached perimeter defenses. However, this does not eliminate risk entirely; insider threats or compromised systems within the administrative zone can still trigger the vulnerability. Furthermore, if network segmentation policies are misconfigured or overly permissive, the isolation benefit may be nullified, exposing the application to remote exploitation from unauthorized sources.
Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction, specifically that a victim must open a malicious file. This characteristic aligns with social engineering attack vectors where an attacker might distribute a crafted document or archive containing exploit code disguised as legitimate content. When opened by a privileged user within the administrative zone who has access to ColdFusion features processing such files, the input validation failure is triggered. The requirement for user interaction lowers the likelihood of automated worm-like propagation but increases the severity of individual incidents due to the high privilege level typically associated with users in administrative zones. This behavior mirrors common attack patterns seen in document-based exploits targeting enterprise environments.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and often involves CWE-78 OS Command Injection if the execution results in shell commands being run. In terms of adversary tactics, it aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing arbitrary code and potentially T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation depending on how the current user context is leveraged to gain higher privileges. Understanding these mappings helps in configuring detection rules within intrusion prevention systems and endpoint detection platforms to identify suspicious process creation or command execution patterns originating from ColdFusion processes.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must ensure that Adobe ColdFusion is updated to a version where this input validation flaw has been corrected by the vendor. Patch management should be prioritized for all servers hosting ColdFusion services, particularly those accessible within administrative network zones. Additionally, defense-in-depth strategies are essential; even with patches applied, administrators should enforce strict least-privilege principles so that the ColdFusion service account runs with minimal permissions on the operating system. Network segmentation must be rigorously maintained to ensure that only authorized systems can communicate with ColdFusion endpoints. User awareness training is also critical to prevent social engineering attacks that rely on victims opening malicious files, as this remains a primary vector for triggering such vulnerabilities in enterprise environments.