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CVE-2026-48277 – Unauthenticated RCE via Improper Input Validation – Adobe ColdFusion 2025 Update…

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Summary

CVE-2026-48277 is a critical Improper Input Validation vulnerability (CWE-20) in Adobe ColdFusion that enables unauthenticated remote code execution with no user interaction required. It affects ColdFusion 2025 Update 9 and earlier, and ColdFusion 2023 Update 20 and earlier, and carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 10.0 — the maximum possible rating. Adobe addressed the flaw in security bulletin APSB26-68, published June 30, 2026, and states it is not aware of active exploitation at the time of publication.

Technical details

  • Root cause: Improper input validation (CWE-20) allows attacker-controlled data to be processed by ColdFusion without adequate sanitization or boundary enforcement, reaching code execution pathways directly.
  • Trigger conditions: No authentication, no user interaction, and no special privileges are required. Attack complexity is low, meaning the vulnerability can be reliably triggered without any prerequisite conditions or prior access.
  • Attack vector: Network-based — any internet-connected attacker can send a specially crafted request to a vulnerable ColdFusion server. No local or physical access is required.
  • Impact: Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the ColdFusion service process. The CVSS Scope metric is "Changed," meaning exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself — including the underlying operating system and adjacent services on the same host.

Affected software

  • Adobe ColdFusion 2025, Update 9 and earlier
  • Adobe ColdFusion 2023, Update 20 and earlier

Severity

CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 10.0 (Critical)
Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate — apply vendor patches released in Adobe security bulletin APSB26-68:
    • ColdFusion 2025: upgrade to Update 10
    • ColdFusion 2023: upgrade to Update 21
  • If immediate patching is not feasible, apply network-level controls to restrict public internet access to ColdFusion servers, particularly the ColdFusion Administrator interface and any exposed application endpoints.
  • Review Adobe’s published ColdFusion hardening guidelines to reduce the overall attack surface of deployed instances.

IONIX Status

The IONIX research team is tracking ongoing exploitation attempts and recommends immediate patching. Potentially affected assets are outlined in this post.

References

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