CVE-2025-49535 is a critical vulnerability identified in Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.2, 2023.14, 2021.20, and earlier. The flaw is categorized as an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity (XXE) Reference, corresponding to CWE-611. XXE vulnerabilities occur when XML parsers process external entity references without adequate restrictions, allowing attackers to manipulate XML input to access unauthorized resources or disrupt service. In this case, the vulnerability enables an attacker to bypass security features by exploiting the XML parser's handling of external entities. The vulnerability affects internal IP address-restricted components, meaning the attack surface is limited to internal network segments or systems accessible within an organization's perimeter. Exploitation does not require user interaction or authentication, increasing the risk of automated or remote attacks. The scope of impact is changed, indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially targeted component, potentially leading to broader system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.3 (critical), reflecting high impact on confidentiality (complete data disclosure possible) and availability (denial of service), with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a significant threat to organizations using affected ColdFusion versions. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting underscores the urgency for mitigation and monitoring.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-49535 could be severe, especially for those relying on Adobe ColdFusion for web application development and deployment. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive internal data, including configuration files, credentials, or business-critical information, due to the XXE allowing access to internal resources. Additionally, denial of service conditions could disrupt business operations, impacting service availability and potentially causing financial and reputational damage. The fact that the vulnerable component is restricted to internal IP addresses suggests that attackers would need some level of network access, but this does not eliminate risk from insider threats, compromised internal hosts, or attackers who gain footholds within the network. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability and the lack of required authentication or user interaction, automated scanning and exploitation attempts could target European organizations, particularly those in sectors with high ColdFusion adoption such as government, finance, and manufacturing. The potential for lateral movement and broader compromise within internal networks raises concerns for data protection and compliance with regulations like GDPR, which mandates safeguarding personal data against unauthorized access.

European organizations should immediately assess their ColdFusion deployments to identify affected versions (2025.2, 2023.14, 2021.20, and earlier). In the absence of official patches, organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict XML parser configurations to disable external entity processing or enable secure parsing modes that prevent XXE exploitation. 2) Apply network segmentation and strict access controls to limit internal IP address exposure of ColdFusion services, ensuring only trusted systems can communicate with vulnerable components. 3) Monitor internal network traffic for unusual XML requests or patterns indicative of XXE exploitation attempts. 4) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block malicious XML payloads targeting ColdFusion. 5) Conduct internal vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focusing on XXE vectors to identify and remediate weaknesses proactively. 6) Prepare incident response plans for potential exploitation scenarios, including data breach containment and forensic analysis. 7) Stay updated with Adobe advisories for forthcoming patches and apply them promptly once available. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on configuration hardening, network controls, and proactive detection tailored to the internal network scope of the vulnerability.