ColdFusion versions 2023.11, 2021.17, and earlier are affected by an Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary file system read. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access files or directories that are outside of the restricted directory set by the application. This could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information or the manipulation of system data. Exploitation of this issue requires the admin panel to be exposed to the internet.
With a CVSS score of 8.1, this vulnerability is classified as high severity. The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive information, which could have serious implications for data integrity and availability.
As of now, there is no public exploit confirmed for this vulnerability, but organizations should remain vigilant. Urgency for defenders is high as the potential for exploitation exists, especially if the admin panel is accessible externally.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to files due to an inadequate restriction of pathname, classified under CWE-22. The affected products include ColdFusion versions 2023.11 and 2021.17, with the vulnerability first published on December 23, 2024.
The CVSS vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating a high attack complexity and a network attack vector.
Organizations using ColdFusion should ensure their systems are updated to the latest versions to prevent potential exploitation.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly restrict file path access, allowing attackers to traverse to directories outside the expected scope. The attack vector is network-based with high complexity, meaning an attacker would need to craft specific requests that bypass the intended restrictions.
Successful exploitation does not require any privileges or user interaction, allowing an attacker to gain access to sensitive files without authentication.
The impact includes a high level of confidentiality, integrity, and availability risk, making this vulnerability critical to address.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of vulnerable ColdFusion instances poses significant risks. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data amplifies the urgency for organizations to take immediate action. The blast radius of this vulnerability is considerable, particularly for organizations that maintain sensitive operational data or customer information.
Based on the CVSS score and the current lack of known exploits, organizations should treat this vulnerability as a priority for immediate remediation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
ColdFusion versions 2023.11, 2021.17, and all earlier versions are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should consider applying patches or updates from Adobe as soon as they become available. For comprehensive security, organizations may also implement additional penetration testing to evaluate the effectiveness of their defenses and to uncover any additional vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation, organizations should monitor for unusual file access patterns, particularly attempts to access files outside the expected directory structure. Logging and alerting mechanisms should be in place to capture these events.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The ongoing analysis of vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-53961 highlights the importance of proactive security measures. Security teams must prioritize regular updates and comprehensive security assessments. For further insights into effective security strategies, organizations can refer to our penetration testing methodology and explore our guide on vulnerability management programs to strengthen their security posture.
Additionally, understanding the implications of such vulnerabilities can guide teams in prioritizing their security efforts effectively. For those dealing with cloud environments, our article on cloud penetration testing may provide valuable insights.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)