Adobe Warns Of Critical ColdFusion Flaw With PoC Exploit

Adobe has issued an urgent out-of-band security update to fix a critical vulnerability in ColdFusion, identified as CVE-2024-53961, with a CVSS score of 7.4. This vulnerability stems from a path traversal flaw that could allow attackers to access arbitrary files on affected servers, potentially leading to sensitive data exposure or system compromise.

Impacted Versions:

• ColdFusion 2023: Versions prior to Update 12
• ColdFusion 2021: Versions prior to Update 18

Exploit Details:

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit for this vulnerability is publicly available, increasing the urgency of the patch. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) notes that an attacker exploiting this flaw could bypass directory restrictions, gaining unauthorized access to critical files or directories. This could expose sensitive information or allow manipulation of system data.

Severity Rating:

Adobe has classified CVE-2024-53961 as Priority 1, the highest severity level. This indicates a heightened risk of active exploitation in the wild.

Adobe’s Response:

To address the vulnerability, Adobe has:

• Released ColdFusion 2021 Update 18 and ColdFusion 2023 Update 12.
• Recommended users apply these patches within 72 hours to mitigate the risk.
• Published updated security configuration settings in the ColdFusion 2023 and ColdFusion 2021 lockdown guides.

Additional Recommendations:

• Review and implement updates in the serial filter documentation to mitigate risks from insecure WDDX deserialization attacks.
• Apply the latest security patches immediately to reduce exposure.

About ColdFusion:

ColdFusion is a robust application server and web programming platform used to create dynamic websites by integrating user inputs, database queries, and back-end system operations. This makes its security critical for organizations relying on it for web applications.

Adobe emphasized the importance of swift action, though no active exploitation has been reported yet. Users are urged to prioritize these updates and follow Adobe’s guidance to protect against potential attacks.