External risk intelligence

Adobe ColdFusion Unrestricted File Upload Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2018-15961

Adobe ColdFusion is affected by an unrestricted file upload vulnerability. This could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, leading to system compromise and potential data exposure for the organization. Organizations should identify and remediate affected instances to mitigate business risk.

4Halo Surface Signal

Unrestricted File Upload

Adobe Coldfusion

11.020162018

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2018-15961

Adobe ColdFusion is an application server platform commonly deployed as a public-facing web server or application environment to host web applications and APIs, making it inherently network-reachable in typical production configurations.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Adobe ColdFusion is susceptible to an unrestricted file upload vulnerability. This flaw allows for the arbitrary execution of code within the affected systems. The potential impact includes the compromise of systems, unauthorized access to sensitive data, and disruption of business operations.

  • Vulnerable: Adobe ColdFusion
  • Flaw: Unrestricted file upload
  • Impact: Code execution, data compromise

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

Adobe ColdFusion instances, when exposed to the network, are susceptible to an unrestricted file upload vulnerability. This vulnerability allows an attacker to upload arbitrary files, leading to potential arbitrary code execution. This could result in compromised systems and unauthorized access to data within the affected organization.

  • Exposure on network
  • Attacker uploads malicious file
  • Arbitrary code execution follows

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

Exploitation of this vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, posing a significant risk to affected organizations. The ease of exploitation and potential for widespread damage indicate that this issue requires prompt attention. Organizations utilizing the affected versions of Adobe ColdFusion should prioritize remediation to mitigate business risk.

  • Attackers with basic skills can exploit it.
  • No special access or conditions are required.
  • High business risk; treat as urgent.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

An unrestricted file upload vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. This poses a significant risk to affected organizations, potentially leading to system compromise and data breaches. Organizations should take immediate steps to identify and mitigate this vulnerability.

  • Find affected ColdFusion assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
  • Apply vendor fix, verify, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is Adobe ColdFusion?

Adobe ColdFusion is a platform for building and deploying web applications and APIs. It enables the creation of dynamic websites and online services by integrating technologies like Java, CFML, and .NET, and is frequently used for public-facing websites or internal business applications.

How does CVE-2018-15961 lead to arbitrary code execution?

CVE-2018-15961 is an unrestricted file upload vulnerability (CWE-434). Attackers can upload malicious files to the server without proper validation. If these uploaded files are executable, an attacker can then run their own code on the server.

What is the trigger path for arbitrary code execution in CVE-2018-15961?

The trigger path involves an attacker uploading a malicious file to the server. Since the upload process lacks restrictions, the attacker can then execute this uploaded file, leading to arbitrary code execution. This is facilitated by the 'external' attack vector classification of this CVE.

How relevant is CVE-2018-15961 to public-facing systems?

This vulnerability is highly relevant to public-facing systems as it allows for arbitrary code execution via unrestricted file uploads. Exploitation can lead to compromised systems and unauthorized data access. The Halo Surface Signal assesses this as 'Likely' due to the common deployment of ColdFusion as a network-reachable web server.

What steps should be taken to respond to CVE-2018-15961?

Organizations should identify affected ColdFusion assets, reduce their network exposure or isolate them, and apply vendor-provided fixes. Verification of the fix and ongoing monitoring are crucial to mitigate the risk of system compromise and data breaches.

References