External risk intelligence

Adobe ColdFusion Path Traversal to Code Execution

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 10.0)

CVE-2025-54261

Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial application server and web development platform. It is commonly deployed to host public-facing websites, enterprise web applications, and API endpoints, making it frequently accessible from the internet in standard production environments.

Path Traversal

Adobe Coldfusion

202120232025

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in Adobe ColdFusion that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code. This issue, if exploited, may permit unauthorized control over affected systems. The primary concern is to confirm if your organization utilizes the affected technology and assess potential exposure.

Path traversal flaw in ColdFusion.
Enables remote code execution if exploited.
Assess relevance and confirm exposure.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to a vulnerable ColdFusion server accessible over the network. If specific optional configurations are enabled, the attacker might manipulate path information to access or modify files outside the intended directory, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code.

No special authentication required.
Triggered by path traversal requests.
Risk of arbitrary code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

When optional configurations are enabled, an attacker could exploit this path traversal vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution, impacting system data and service behavior. The scope of the vulnerability can change, potentially affecting resources beyond the immediate ColdFusion application.

System files and configurations could be affected.
Attackers may write arbitrary files to the system.
Arbitrary code execution could lead to a full compromise.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Application owners, infrastructure teams, and potentially vendor-management teams are likely responsible for addressing this vulnerability. The first practical step is to identify all instances of ColdFusion, confirm their exposure and criticality, and then assign ownership for remediation planning.

Identify affected ColdFusion instances.
Verify external reachability and business criticality.
Plan remediation based on identified risk.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Free EASM Trial See How Signal Works

Frequently asked questions

What is Adobe ColdFusion?

Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial application server and web development platform. Developers use it to build, deploy, and host enterprise-grade web applications, dynamic websites, and API endpoints. It serves as a middle tier between a web server and a database, processing instructions to deliver content to users.

What is the vulnerability in CVE-2025-54261?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-22, or 'Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory,' commonly known as path traversal. It allows an attacker to manipulate file paths to access directories they should not reach. In this specific CVE, the flaw can be elevated beyond simple file access, potentially allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the underlying system.

How is this vulnerability triggered?

An attacker triggers this by sending specially crafted network requests to the server. Importantly, the vulnerability is not active by default; it requires that specific optional configurations be enabled on the ColdFusion server. If these optional features are turned off or not in use, the specific path traversal condition that leads to code execution may not be met.

Is my ColdFusion server at risk?

Halo Surface Signal identifies Adobe ColdFusion as an application server frequently deployed in public-facing roles. Because the attack vector for this vulnerability is over the network and requires no authentication, any instance reachable from the internet is at higher risk. Organizations should prioritize checking servers that serve public web traffic or enterprise endpoints.

What is the first step to take?

Begin by creating a complete inventory of all Adobe ColdFusion instances running in your environment. Once identified, verify which systems have the specific optional configurations enabled that make them susceptible. Assign clear ownership for these systems so your teams can assess the business criticality and prepare for necessary updates or configuration changes.

References

helpx.adobe.com/security/products/coldfusion/apsb25-93.html

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.