CVE-2025-30289: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') (CWE-78) in Adobe ColdFusion
ColdFusion versions 2023.12, 2021.18, 2025.0 and earlier are affected by an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability that could lead in arbitrary code execution by an attacker. A low privileged attacker with local access could leverage this vulnerability to bypass security protections and execute code. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must be coerced into performing actions within the application. Scope is changed.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-30289 is an OS Command Injection vulnerability classified under CWE-78 affecting multiple versions of Adobe ColdFusion, specifically 2023.12, 2021.18, 2025.0, and earlier. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in OS commands, allowing an attacker with low privileges and local access to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system. The attack vector requires user interaction, meaning the attacker must coerce a victim into performing specific actions within the ColdFusion application to trigger the exploit. The vulnerability scope is changed, indicating that the impact extends beyond the initially affected component, potentially affecting the entire system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.2, reflecting high severity due to the combination of local attack vector, low complexity, required privileges, user interaction, and the critical impact on system security. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to ColdFusion's widespread use in enterprise web applications and backend services. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation efforts to reduce exposure. This vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass security protections, escalate privileges, and execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Potential Impact
The impact of CVE-2025-30289 is substantial for organizations running affected versions of Adobe ColdFusion. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the ColdFusion service, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify or delete critical files, disrupt services, and establish persistent footholds. The compromise of ColdFusion servers can affect web applications, backend processes, and connected databases, leading to data breaches, service outages, and reputational damage. Since exploitation requires user interaction and local access, insider threats or social engineering attacks are likely vectors. The changed scope indicates that the vulnerability may affect multiple components or interconnected systems, amplifying the potential damage. Organizations relying heavily on ColdFusion for critical business functions, especially in sectors like finance, government, healthcare, and e-commerce, face increased risk of operational disruption and data loss.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Monitor Adobe’s official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-30289 and apply them promptly once released. 2. Until patches are available, restrict local access to ColdFusion servers to trusted personnel only and enforce strict access controls. 3. Implement robust input validation and sanitization within ColdFusion applications to prevent injection of malicious OS commands. 4. Employ application-layer firewalls or runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools to detect and block suspicious command execution attempts. 5. Educate users and administrators about social engineering risks to reduce the likelihood of coerced user interaction. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on ColdFusion environments to identify and remediate injection vulnerabilities. 7. Isolate ColdFusion servers in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 8. Enable detailed logging and monitoring of command execution and user actions within ColdFusion to facilitate early detection of exploitation attempts.
Affected Countries
United States, Germany, United Kingdom, India, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands
CVE-2025-30289: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') (CWE-78) in Adobe ColdFusion
Description
ColdFusion versions 2023.12, 2021.18, 2025.0 and earlier are affected by an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') vulnerability that could lead in arbitrary code execution by an attacker. A low privileged attacker with local access could leverage this vulnerability to bypass security protections and execute code. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must be coerced into performing actions within the application. Scope is changed.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-30289 is an OS Command Injection vulnerability classified under CWE-78 affecting multiple versions of Adobe ColdFusion, specifically 2023.12, 2021.18, 2025.0, and earlier. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in OS commands, allowing an attacker with low privileges and local access to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system. The attack vector requires user interaction, meaning the attacker must coerce a victim into performing specific actions within the ColdFusion application to trigger the exploit. The vulnerability scope is changed, indicating that the impact extends beyond the initially affected component, potentially affecting the entire system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.2, reflecting high severity due to the combination of local attack vector, low complexity, required privileges, user interaction, and the critical impact on system security. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to ColdFusion's widespread use in enterprise web applications and backend services. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation efforts to reduce exposure. This vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass security protections, escalate privileges, and execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Potential Impact
The impact of CVE-2025-30289 is substantial for organizations running affected versions of Adobe ColdFusion. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the ColdFusion service, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify or delete critical files, disrupt services, and establish persistent footholds. The compromise of ColdFusion servers can affect web applications, backend processes, and connected databases, leading to data breaches, service outages, and reputational damage. Since exploitation requires user interaction and local access, insider threats or social engineering attacks are likely vectors. The changed scope indicates that the vulnerability may affect multiple components or interconnected systems, amplifying the potential damage. Organizations relying heavily on ColdFusion for critical business functions, especially in sectors like finance, government, healthcare, and e-commerce, face increased risk of operational disruption and data loss.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Monitor Adobe’s official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-30289 and apply them promptly once released. 2. Until patches are available, restrict local access to ColdFusion servers to trusted personnel only and enforce strict access controls. 3. Implement robust input validation and sanitization within ColdFusion applications to prevent injection of malicious OS commands. 4. Employ application-layer firewalls or runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools to detect and block suspicious command execution attempts. 5. Educate users and administrators about social engineering risks to reduce the likelihood of coerced user interaction. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on ColdFusion environments to identify and remediate injection vulnerabilities. 7. Isolate ColdFusion servers in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 8. Enable detailed logging and monitoring of command execution and user actions within ColdFusion to facilitate early detection of exploitation attempts.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- adobe
- Date Reserved
- 2025-03-20T17:36:17.301Z
- Cisa Enriched
- true
Threat ID: 682d9840c4522896dcbf16c4
Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:20 AM
Last enriched: 2/26/2026, 9:11:55 PM
Last updated: 3/27/2026, 11:08:50 PM
Views: 64
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