CVE-2025-43562: Critical OS Command Injection in Adobe ColdFusion

Overview

On May 13, 2025, Adobe disclosed CVE-2025-43562, a critical vulnerability in its ColdFusion platform. This flaw is an OS Command Injection vulnerability categorized under CWE-78, which could allow a high-privileged attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the host operating system without user interaction. The scope of this issue is changed, meaning that the impact can extend beyond the original component.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability affects the following ColdFusion versions:

• ColdFusion 2025.1
• ColdFusion 2023.13
• ColdFusion 2021.19 and earlier

The core issue lies in the improper neutralization of special elements in user input that are used in operating system commands. An attacker with sufficient privileges can exploit this weakness to inject and execute arbitrary OS-level commands in the context of the current user, potentially leading to full system compromise.

Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is rated 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

This means that a remote attacker with high privileges can exploit the flaw over the network without user interaction, leading to complete control over affected systems and services.

Understanding CWE-78

CWE-78: OS Command Injection refers to scenarios where software constructs all or part of an OS command using untrusted input. Without proper sanitization, malicious input can be used to alter the command’s structure and logic, allowing arbitrary command execution. In the ColdFusion context, this could be triggered by poorly validated parameters reaching system-level functions.

Impact and Exploitation

Adobe’s security advisory notes that successful exploitation may result in full system takeover, data exfiltration, or service disruption. Since the vulnerability requires no user interaction and has a low attack complexity, it represents a serious threat in environments with exposed or internet-facing ColdFusion deployments.

Recommendations

To mitigate CVE-2025-43562, organizations should:

• Upgrade to the latest secure versions of ColdFusion as released by Adobe.
• Sanitize and validate all user inputs rigorously.
• Restrict OS command functionality within ColdFusion environments where possible.
• Limit access to administrative interfaces and monitor system activity closely.

Conclusion

CVE-2025-43562 underscores the risks posed by inadequate input neutralization and command handling. Given the critical nature and ease of exploitation, immediate patching and hardening of systems is strongly recommended to prevent exploitation and maintain security integrity.