CVE-2023-26360 is an improper access control vulnerability (CWE-284) affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018 Update 15 and earlier, and 2021 Update 5 and earlier. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely in the context of the ColdFusion service user. This occurs because the affected ColdFusion versions fail to enforce proper access control on certain functions or endpoints, permitting attackers to bypass security checks. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.6 (high), with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and a scope change with high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact. Although no public exploits are known yet, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a prime candidate for exploitation. Adobe has not yet published patches or mitigation details at the time of this report, so organizations must monitor for updates. The vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access and execute code, potentially leading to data exposure or further network compromise. ColdFusion is widely used in enterprise web applications, making this vulnerability significant for organizations relying on it for critical services.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2023-26360 could lead to unauthorized remote code execution on ColdFusion servers, compromising sensitive data confidentiality. This could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, or unauthorized access to internal systems. Since ColdFusion often hosts business-critical web applications, attackers could leverage this access to pivot within networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. The lack of required authentication and user interaction means attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely and stealthily, increasing exposure. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and manufacturing that use ColdFusion are particularly at risk. The impact is amplified in Europe due to stringent data protection regulations like GDPR, where breaches can lead to significant fines and reputational damage. Additionally, the vulnerability could disrupt trust in digital services and complicate compliance efforts. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score indicates urgent attention is needed.

1. Immediately inventory all Adobe ColdFusion instances in your environment, identifying versions 2018 Update 15 and earlier, and 2021 Update 5 and earlier. 2. Monitor Adobe security advisories closely and apply official patches as soon as they are released. 3. Until patches are available, restrict network access to ColdFusion servers by implementing strict firewall rules limiting inbound connections to trusted sources only. 4. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting ColdFusion endpoints. 5. Enable detailed logging and continuous monitoring on ColdFusion servers to detect anomalous activities indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on ColdFusion environments to identify potential exposure. 7. Consider isolating ColdFusion servers in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if compromised. 8. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response capability. 9. Review and harden ColdFusion configuration settings to minimize attack surface, disabling unnecessary services or features. 10. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical data and system configurations to enable recovery in case of compromise.