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.
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