Adobe ColdFusion path traversal flaw exploited
Adobe ColdFusion contains an actively exploited path traversal vulnerability allowing unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary system files; PoC code is publicly available.
Japan's IPA has issued an alert for a path traversal vulnerability (CVE-2024-53961) in Adobe ColdFusion application servers. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary system files on affected systems.
Adobe has confirmed the existence of public proof-of-concept exploit code for this vulnerability, significantly lowering the barrier to exploitation. The vendor has released patches to address the issue and is urging organizations to update immediately.
Given the availability of PoC code and the severity of the vulnerability, IPA warns that exploitation is likely to expand. Organizations running Adobe ColdFusion should prioritize applying the vendor's security updates to prevent unauthorized file access and potential further compromise.
Mentioned in this report
Detection guidance
Path Traversal Pattern in ColdFusion HTTP Request URI
Detects HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences targeting ColdFusion administrative or CFIDE paths, consistent with CVE-2024-53961 exploitation attempts. Auto-generated starting point — validate and tune in your environment before deploying. IOC matches can false-positive on shared infrastructure and decay as adversary infrastructure rotates.
title: Path Traversal Pattern in ColdFusion HTTP Request URI
logsource:
category: webserver
product: windows
detection:
selection:
cs-uri-stem|contains:
- /CFIDE/
- /cf_scripts/
traversal:
cs-uri-stem|contains:
- ../
- ..%2f
- ..%5c
- '%2e%2e%2f'
- '%2e%2e/'
condition: selection and traversal
falsepositives:
- Legitimate vulnerability scanning by authorized security teams
- Rare application requests with encoded relative path components
level: high
tags:
- attack.t1190
- cve.2024-53961
id: c67dc7b6-dd38-5d48-8d68-e3bedd6d9bb6
status: experimental
author: Vorant
ColdFusion Server Process Spawning Shell or Discovery Commands
Detects the ColdFusion Java process spawning command interpreters or file discovery commands, which may indicate post-exploitation reconnaissance following successful path traversal or RCE against ColdFusion. Auto-generated starting point — validate and tune in your environment before deploying. IOC matches can false-positive on shared infrastructure and decay as adversary infrastructure rotates.
title: ColdFusion Server Process Spawning Shell or Discovery Commands
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|contains:
- coldfusion
- jrun
- cfusion
selection_child:
Image|endswith:
- \cmd.exe
- \powershell.exe
- \whoami.exe
- \findstr.exe
- \where.exe
- \dir.exe
- \type.exe
condition: selection_parent and selection_child
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administrative scripts or scheduled maintenance tasks invoked by ColdFusion
- Custom ColdFusion applications that intentionally shell out to OS commands
level: high
tags:
- attack.t1083
- attack.t1190
id: 0994eadb-f16b-58df-940a-b9eb68997328
status: experimental
author: Vorant
ColdFusion Process Reading Sensitive System Files Outside Webroot
Detects the ColdFusion server process accessing sensitive operating system configuration files, indicative of arbitrary file read via path traversal. Auto-generated starting point — validate and tune in your environment before deploying. IOC matches can false-positive on shared infrastructure and decay as adversary infrastructure rotates.
title: ColdFusion Process Reading Sensitive System Files Outside Webroot
logsource:
category: file_event
product: windows
detection:
selection_process:
Image|contains:
- coldfusion
- jrun
- cfusion
selection_target:
TargetFilename|contains:
- \Windows\win.ini
- \Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
- \Windows\repair\SAM
- /etc/passwd
- /etc/shadow
- web.xml
- password.properties
condition: selection_process and selection_target
falsepositives:
- ColdFusion backup or migration utilities that legitimately read configuration templates
level: high
tags:
- attack.t1083
- attack.t1190
id: 94900d9a-6a0d-5b29-813b-8cceaef26536
status: experimental
author: Vorant
Behavioural rules are generated from public reporting — validate in your environment before deploying.
Source reporting: https://www.ipa.go.jp/security/security-alert/2024/alert20241224.html
This is the public brief
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