Tag: score:9.1

Overview

On May 13, 2025, Adobe publicly disclosed CVE-2025-43560, a critical vulnerability affecting multiple versions of its ColdFusion software. The flaw involves Improper Input Validation, categorized under CWE-20. This vulnerability allows a high-privileged attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user—without any user interaction.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability affects ColdFusion versions up to and including:

• ColdFusion 2025.1
• ColdFusion 2023.13
• ColdFusion 2021.19

The root cause lies in inadequate validation of input data by ColdFusion components. Without sufficient sanitization, attackers can exploit malformed inputs to bypass security mechanisms and run unauthorized code. Given the scope change in this case, the attack can impact resources beyond the originally vulnerable component.

Technical Analysis

This issue is rated as Critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1. The vector string is:

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Key attributes include:

• Attack Vector: Network
• Attack Complexity: Low
• Privileges Required: High
• User Interaction: None
• Scope: Changed
• Confidentiality Impact: High
• Integrity Impact: High
• Availability Impact: High

This means that a network-based attack could be carried out by a privileged user with minimal effort, without the need for social engineering or interaction from a victim. The “Changed” scope implies that successful exploitation may affect other components or systems beyond the ColdFusion application itself.

Understanding CWE-20

CWE-20: Improper Input Validation refers to the failure to properly validate input data before it is processed. This can lead to security issues like injection attacks, logic flaws, or arbitrary code execution. In the context of ColdFusion, insufficient checks on input values enable attackers to craft malicious requests that slip through normal protections.

Impact and Exploitation

According to Adobe’s security advisory, exploitation of this vulnerability could result in total system compromise. Attackers might gain access to sensitive data, modify system behavior, or render applications unusable through denial-of-service. Given the criticality and ease of exploitation, this vulnerability poses a serious threat in enterprise environments.

Mitigation Recommendations

To protect against CVE-2025-43560, organizations should:

• Upgrade ColdFusion to the latest patched version as recommended by Adobe.
• Harden systems by limiting access to ColdFusion admin panels and interfaces.
• Implement strict input validation at both application and server levels.
• Monitor network and application logs for suspicious behavior.

Conclusion

CVE-2025-43560 exemplifies the critical risk posed by improper input handling. While the attack requires high privileges, the lack of complexity and potential for arbitrary code execution make it a high-priority issue. Organizations relying on ColdFusion must act swiftly to mitigate this threat.

Overview

On May 13, 2025, Adobe disclosed a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-43563 affecting multiple versions of its ColdFusion platform. The issue stems from an Improper Access Control weakness, classified under CWE-284. This flaw allows an attacker to perform unauthorized file system reads without user interaction, putting sensitive data at risk.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability impacts ColdFusion versions up to and including:

• ColdFusion 2025.1
• ColdFusion 2023.13
• ColdFusion 2021.19

The core issue lies in the software’s failure to properly enforce access restrictions on critical file system operations. Attackers with high privileges can exploit this oversight to access or modify sensitive files, which could lead to data breaches, unauthorized disclosure, or system compromise.

Technical Breakdown

This vulnerability is rated as Critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1. The vector string is:

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Key characteristics include:

• Attack Vector: Network
• Attack Complexity: Low
• Privileges Required: High
• User Interaction: None
• Scope: Changed
• Confidentiality/Integrity/Availability Impact: High

Although the attack requires high privileges, its exploitation is trivial in complexity and does not require interaction from end users. The change in scope indicates that exploitation can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component.

Associated CWE

The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284: Improper Access Control. This class of weaknesses arises when an application fails to properly restrict access to resources based on user roles or permissions. In this case, ColdFusion fails to prevent unauthorized file access, leading to severe implications for confidentiality and integrity.

Impact and Exploitation

According to the Adobe security advisory, successful exploitation could result in an attacker gaining read access to arbitrary files on the file system. Such access could be used to gather credentials, configuration details, or sensitive user data. No user interaction is required, which further increases the severity of the threat in enterprise environments.

Recommendations

Organizations using affected ColdFusion versions should:

• Immediately update to the latest patched version provided by Adobe.
• Audit and monitor system logs for unusual file access behavior.
• Restrict access to ColdFusion administrative interfaces.
• Follow Adobe’s mitigation guidance where applicable.

Conclusion

CVE-2025-43563 represents a significant risk for organizations relying on Adobe ColdFusion for web application development. Its high severity rating, combined with the lack of required user interaction and potential for unauthorized data access, makes prompt remediation essential.

Overview

CVE-2025-30282 is a critical vulnerability discovered in Adobe ColdFusion, affecting versions 2025.0 and earlier, including 2023.12 and 2021.18. The flaw is classified as an Improper Authentication issue and has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1 (Critical). It allows high-privileged attackers to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, without any user interaction.

What is Improper Authentication?

CWE-287: Improper Authentication refers to a condition where an application does not properly verify the identity of a user or service. In the case of ColdFusion, attackers can leverage this flaw to skip authentication checks and directly perform unauthorized actions, including executing arbitrary code on the server.

Technical Details

The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network, requires high privileges, but no user interaction. The scope is changed, meaning a successful exploit can affect components beyond the immediate vulnerable area.

According to the CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H, the impact spans across:

• Confidentiality: High
• Integrity: High
• Availability: High

This indicates the potential for total system compromise if exploited.

Risk and SSVC Assessment

The CISA Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) assessment confirms:

• No exploitation in the wild
• Exploitation is not easily automatable
• Technical impact is considered total

Although not currently exploited, the severity and potential consequences make this a high-priority issue.

Mitigation

To address CVE-2025-30282, Adobe has released patches and security updates. Administrators should:

• Immediately upgrade ColdFusion to the latest secure version
• Review authentication and access control configurations
• Restrict network access to ColdFusion services wherever possible

References

• Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-15

This vulnerability underscores the importance of strict authentication enforcement and regular patching in enterprise application environments.