CVE-2023-26359 - Critical Deserialization Vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion, Allows Arbitrary Code Execution

Adobe ColdFusion, a popular web application development platform, has become the target of a significant security vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26359. This vulnerability affects Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018 Update 15 (and earlier) and 2021 Update 5 (and earlier), making it a pressing matter for developers and system administrators who rely on these platforms. The severity of this issue lies in the potential for arbitrary code execution, allowing a remote attacker to potentially take control of the affected system.

The Vulnerability - Deserialization of Untrusted Data

This critical vulnerability is caused by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data issue, which could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. To put it in simpler terms, the vulnerability occurs when Adobe ColdFusion fails to securely deserialize user-controlled data, allowing attackers to execute malicious code on the target system. The exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction, making it a dangerous attack vector.

Code Snippet Demonstrating the Vulnerability

The following code snippet demonstrates how an attacker could potentially exploit the weakness in Adobe ColdFusion's deserialization process:

import java.io.*;

public class Exploit {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        String payload = "INSERT_MALICIOUS_CODE_HERE";
        FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("exploit.ser");
        ObjectOutputStream out = new ObjectOutputStream(fileOut);
        out.writeObject(payload);
        out.close();
        fileOut.close();

        System.out.printf("Serialized data is saved in exploit.ser");
    }
}

In this example, the attacker creates a malicious serialized object (exploit.ser) containing the arbitrary code they want to execute on the targeted system. Once the serialized object is deserialized by the vulnerable Adobe ColdFusion process, the attacker's code would be executed.

Original References and Official Advisories

1. Adobe Security Bulletin APSB22-XX - This is the official advisory from Adobe regarding CVE-2023-26359, providing details on affected versions and mitigation steps to follow.
2. CVE-2023-26359 - The National Vulnerability Database page on this vulnerability offers additional technical information.

Mitigations and Recommendations

To protect their systems from being exploited through this vulnerability, Adobe ColdFusion users should immediately take the following steps:

1. Update your Adobe ColdFusion installation to the latest version, as these patches address the vulnerability:

Regularly apply security updates to keep your systems protected against known vulnerabilities.

3. Consider implementing secure deserialization practices, like input validation and using trusted data sources only.

Conclusion

The CVE-2023-26359 vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion represents a significant risk for organizations and developers relying on the platform. By understanding and addressing the weakness in the deserialization process that enables this attack, developers and system administrators can ensure that their systems are protected against arbitrary code execution attacks. Implementing the recommended mitigations and remaining vigilant about updates and secure practices will help safeguard your ColdFusion environment from potential threats.

Timeline

Published on: 03/23/2023 20:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 03/28/2023 13:00:00 UTC