Description
A critical vulnerability has been identified in the Adobe ColdFusion software, specifically pertaining to the Improper Access Control of its versions including 2018u18 (and earlier), 2021u8 (and earlier), and 2023u2 (and earlier). This vulnerability, cataloged as CVE-2023-38205, could potentially allow an attacker to bypass security features to access administration CFM and CFC endpoints without the requirement of user interaction.
Affected Product(s)
Adobe ColdFusion 2018, 2021, and 2023 (up to respective updates: 2018u18, 2021u8, and 2023u2)
Technical Details
Adobe ColdFusion, a dedicated web application development platform, is equipped with powerful tools tailored for building and deploying web and mobile applications. However, with great functionality comes the potential for security pitfalls— one such vulnerability is CVE-2023-38205. Identified as a product of Improper Access Control, the vulnerability opens up critical parts of the software to unauthorized users, specifically targeting the administrative interfaces— CFM and CFC endpoints.
An exposed administrative interface presents a serious risk, as it could allow malicious actors to exploit security shortcomings and gain control over system administration features, with minimal to no user interaction required. This improper access control flaw is compounded by its presence across multiple versions including ColdFusion 2018 update 18, ColdFusion 2021 update 8, and ColdFusion 2023 update 2 (and earlier).
Another related weakness identified alongside this vulnerability is the Deserialization of Untrusted Data, carrying a CWE-502 classification, which can further pave the way for arbitrary code execution. This can turn ColdFusion deployments into a potent vector for malicious campaigns. The Deserialization of Untrusted Data allows remotely crafted payloads to execute unchecked, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution— dangerously amplifying the attack surface.
The nexus between Improper Access Control (CWE-284) and Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerabilities constitutes a severely compromised software ecosystem. With exploitation, adversaries are potentially able to perform actions that would normally be gated behind stricter access controls. Adobe acknowledged these vulnerabilities and has since updated security protocols to mitigate them through advisories detailed in APSB23-47.
For initial detection and exploitation, attackers could send specially crafted HTTP requests to specific ColdFusion endpoints to validate their intrusion strategy. These activities underscore a deeper violation of security protocols aimed at safeguarding web application interfaces from unsolicited access. Commonly targeted files include administrative interfaces and their components, often manipulated through simple payload deliveries via HTTP post requests. From there, attack vectors like remote code execution are enacted, often without an initial authentication protocol hindering progress.
Such vulnerabilities are cataloged amongst commonly exploited types in cyberattack arsenals, thereby demanding immediate attention and remediation steps from users to mitigate broader systemic symptoms affecting enterprise-level infrastructures.
Weakness
Improper Access Control (CWE-284) and Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) make it possible for unauthorized access to administration interfaces as well as execution of arbitrary code due to a lack of stringent security checks and validations.
Impact Assessment
If exploited, this vulnerability could permit an attacker to bypass certain security restrictions, leading to unauthorized access of administrative functionalities as well as arbitrary code execution within the affected ColdFusion environments. This creates substantial risks wherein sensitive data could be compromised, services disrupted, and servers commandeered to support further illicit activities.
Active Exploitation
There is an observation of this vulnerability being actively exploited in the wild as reported by Adobe, emphasizing its critical nature. Such exploits are partaken by exploiting the endpoint access paths to execute unauthorized operations in ColdFusion environments.
Ransomware Association
No explicit ransomware has been linked to this vulnerability. However, the potential for data exfiltration and system disruption does position this vulnerability as a viable precursor route for ransomware activities if leveraged by malicious actors targeting high-value targets.
Mitigation and Resolution
Security updates have been provided by Adobe, addressing these vulnerabilities in ColdFusion versions up to 2018u19, 2021u9, and 2023u3. Users are strongly encouraged to apply these patches to safeguard their systems against exploitation.
Recommendations
- We strongly recommend that all customers apply the latest patch as soon as possible to address the identified vulnerabilities.
- Ensure that ColdFusion installations are updated to versions 2018u19, 2021u9, or 2023u3 where the issues are resolved.
- Disable any unnecessary ColdFusion endpoints and limit administrative access to trusted IPs only.
- Ensure secure deserialization mechanisms are implemented to prevent execution of untrusted data.
- Regularly review and control access permissions to ColdFusion server interfaces.
- Continuously monitor network traffic for indicators of anomalous activities specifically targeting ColdFusion endpoints.
References
- Security Updates for Adobe ColdFusion
- CVE-2023-38205: Adobe ColdFusion Access Control Bypass Fixed
- GitHub Details
- GitHub Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Detectors
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