CVE-2025-49540 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.2, 2023.14, 2021.20, and earlier. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization in certain form fields within ColdFusion applications, allowing a high-privileged attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that is persistently stored on the server. When a victim accesses the affected page containing the malicious input, the injected script executes in their browser context. The vulnerability is scoped to internal IP addresses, indicating that exploitation requires access to internal networks or VPNs, limiting exposure to external attackers. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is adjacent network (AV:A), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring high privileges (PR:H), and user interaction (UI:R). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability, and the scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches are linked yet. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which corresponds to improper neutralization of input during web page generation leading to XSS.

For European organizations using Adobe ColdFusion internally, this vulnerability poses a risk of malicious script injection that could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed in the context of legitimate users. Since exploitation requires high privileges and internal network access, the threat is primarily from insider attackers or attackers who have already compromised internal systems. The confidentiality and integrity of sensitive internal data could be compromised, especially in environments where ColdFusion applications handle critical business processes or sensitive personal data. The internal scope limits external attack surface but does not eliminate risk, particularly for organizations with remote access or insufficient network segmentation. Given the widespread use of ColdFusion in enterprise web applications across Europe, especially in sectors like finance, government, and manufacturing, the vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement or privilege escalation within networks if exploited.

Organizations should immediately audit their ColdFusion deployments to identify affected versions and restrict access to vulnerable internal interfaces. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields to prevent script injection. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit internal IP address exposure to only trusted users and systems. Employ multi-factor authentication and monitor for unusual internal activity indicative of privilege misuse. Since no official patches are linked yet, organizations should consider temporary workarounds such as disabling or restricting vulnerable components or applying web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting ColdFusion forms. Regularly review and update ColdFusion to the latest secure versions once patches become available. Additionally, conduct internal user training to raise awareness of insider threat risks and enforce the principle of least privilege for administrative access.