CVE-2019-8073
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on Adobe ColdFusion servers by exploiting a command injection flaw in a vulnerable component. Successful exploitation leads to remote code execution with the privileges of the ColdFusion service account. All ColdFusion 2018 installations before update 5 and ColdFusion 2016 installations before update 12 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe ColdFusion
📦 What is this software?
Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →Coldfusion by Adobe
Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial rapid web application development platform and server providing a Java-based runtime environment for building dynamic websites, web applications, REST APIs, and enterprise integrations. Deployed across government agencies, financial services, healthcare organizations...
Learn more about Coldfusion →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, install malware, steal data, pivot to other systems, and maintain persistent access.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to web shell deployment, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, least privilege, and monitoring are in place, though exploitation could still occur.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation is straightforward with publicly available proof-of-concept code. No authentication required.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: ColdFusion 2018 update 5, ColdFusion 2016 update 12
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/coldfusion/apsb19-47.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the appropriate update from Adobe's website. 2. Backup your ColdFusion installation. 3. Apply the update using the installer. 4. Restart ColdFusion services. 5. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Access Control
allRestrict access to ColdFusion administration interfaces and vulnerable endpoints using firewall rules.
Application Firewall Rules
allImplement WAF rules to block command injection patterns targeting ColdFusion endpoints.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate ColdFusion servers in a restricted network segment with strict inbound/outbound firewall rules.
- Implement application-level monitoring and alerting for suspicious command execution patterns.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check ColdFusion version via administrator console or cfusion/lib/version.txt file.Check Version:
On Windows: type "C:\ColdFusion\cfusion\lib\version.txt" | On Linux: cat /opt/coldfusion/cfusion/lib/version.txtVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is ColdFusion 2018 update 5 or later, or ColdFusion 2016 update 12 or later.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual command execution in ColdFusion logs
- Suspicious process creation events
- Unexpected network connections from ColdFusion server
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with command injection patterns to ColdFusion endpoints
- Outbound connections from ColdFusion server to unknown destinations
SIEM Query:
source="coldfusion.log" AND ("cmd.exe" OR "/bin/sh" OR "powershell" OR suspicious command patterns)