Adobe ColdFusion unauthenticated RCE / arbitrary file read
CVE-2023-26360 affects Adobe ColdFusion 2018 Update 15 and earlier and ColdFusion 2021 Update 5 and earlier. Adobe initially described the issue as an Improper Access Control vulnerability, but later updated its advisory to classify it as a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability. The flaw is remotely exploitable without authentication or user interaction and has been described in the provided content as enabling arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user; multiple supporting references also state it can be used for arbitrary file read. The vulnerability has been associated with exploitation against public-facing ColdFusion servers, including government targets, and has also been discussed as chainable with CVE-2023-29298 to reach protected ColdFusion endpoints prior to exploitation.
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Impact, mitigation & remediation
What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.
Impact
What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.
Mitigation
If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.
Remediation
Patch, then assume compromise.
Exploits
5 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (1 hidden).
Small standalone exploit repository with 3 files: LICENSE, README.md, and a single Python entry point exploit.py. The repository is not itself part of a larger exploit framework. The Python script implements an unauthenticated Adobe ColdFusion RCE for CVE-2023-26360 using the same two-step technique described in the README: (1) send malformed _variables data to the exposed iedit.cfc endpoint so ColdFusion logs attacker-controlled CFML into coldfusion-out.log, then (2) abuse classname metadata/deserialization to load that poisoned log file as a ColdFusion template and execute the CFML. The payload avoids <cfexecute> and instead uses java.lang.Runtime.exec(), making it more reliable on hardened systems where cfexecute may be disabled. The exploit supports both Windows and Linux targets by selecting cmd.exe /C or /bin/sh -c, accepts an arbitrary operator-supplied command, and optionally routes traffic through an HTTP proxy. The CFML payload also attempts cleanup by truncating the current template file after execution. Main fingerprintable target artifact is the ColdFusion endpoint /cf_scripts/scripts/ajax/ckeditor/plugins/filemanager/iedit.cfc and the log path ..\logs\coldfusion-out.log. Overall, this is a functional operational PoC for unauthenticated command execution rather than a detector or documentation-only repository.
This repository contains a single Python script (CVE-2023-26360.py) that exploits CVE-2023-26360, an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion 2021 (up to Update 5) and 2018 (up to Update 15). The script allows an attacker to check if a target is running ColdFusion, execute arbitrary system commands, or obtain a reverse shell on the vulnerable server. It does so by injecting CFML payloads that leverage Java's Runtime.exec to execute commands or spawn a shell. The script is interactive and supports several modes: command execution, reverse shell, and interactive shell. It fingerprints the target by checking for ColdFusion-specific cookies and endpoints (such as /CFIDE/componentutils/cfcexplorer.cfc). The exploit is operational and does not require authentication, making it highly impactful if the target is vulnerable. The code is well-structured, with clear separation of functions for payload construction, target checking, and exploitation. No hardcoded IPs or domains are present; the attacker supplies the target and callback information via command-line arguments.
This repository provides a working exploit for CVE-2023-26360, a remote code execution vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion 2021 (tested on Windows Server 2019). The exploit consists of two main Python scripts: 1. cve-2023-26360.py: The main exploit script, which crafts and sends malicious CFML payloads to a vulnerable ColdFusion server endpoint. It leverages the vulnerability to load a Java class from a remote server controlled by the attacker. 2. server.py: A simple HTTP server that serves a malicious Java payload (e.g., a reverse shell generated with msfvenom) to the target when requested. The README.md provides detailed setup and usage instructions, including how to generate the payload and configure the scripts. The exploit requires the attacker to set up both scripts with the correct IP addresses and ports. The attack vector is network-based, targeting the ColdFusion server over HTTP. The exploit achieves remote code execution by causing the target server to load and execute attacker-supplied Java code, typically resulting in a reverse shell. Notable endpoints include the vulnerable ColdFusion CFC endpoint, the attacker's payload server, and file paths used in the exploitation process. The repository is operational and provides a working exploit with a customizable payload.
This repository contains a Python proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2023-26360, a vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion. The main file, 'CVE-2023-26360.py', allows an attacker to read arbitrary files from a vulnerable server by sending a specially crafted POST request to a .cfc endpoint (default: /CFIDE/wizards/common/utils.cfc). The exploit manipulates the '_metadata.classname' parameter in the JSON body to specify the file to read. If successful, the file contents are printed and saved to 'output.txt'. The repository also includes a minimal README with usage instructions and a requirements.txt specifying the 'requests' library. The exploit is network-based, requires knowledge of the target host and file path, and is intended for use against Adobe ColdFusion servers vulnerable to CVE-2023-26360.
This repository provides a working exploit and detection script for critical vulnerabilities in Adobe ColdFusion (CVE-2023-26359, CVE-2023-26360, CVE-2023-26361). The main files are 'exploit.py' (the exploit) and 'detect.py' (the detection script). The exploit allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or execute arbitrary commands on a vulnerable ColdFusion server by abusing insecure deserialization and improper access control in the /CFIDE/wizards/common/utils.cfc endpoint. The exploit supports both Linux and Windows targets, allows proxying, and can be used for both file read and RCE. The detection script checks for vulnerability by attempting to read a known file. The repository is operational and provides real exploit capability, not just a proof of concept. The README provides detailed background, usage instructions, and references to the relevant CVEs.
Affected products & vendors
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Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.
Recent activity
8 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
An improper access control vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion that was exploited by threat actors to gain initial access to government servers.
An unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion that was actively exploited in the wild to breach U.S. government servers.
An Adobe ColdFusion vulnerability discussed alongside CVE-2023-29298 in the context of exploitation attempts against ColdFusion administration functionality.
An Adobe ColdFusion unauthenticated arbitrary file read vulnerability with a high severity score that can enable unauthorized data access and follow-on attacks.
The version that knows your environment.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.