CVE-2025-61821 is an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE) vulnerability classified under CWE-611 affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.4, 2023.16, 2021.22, and earlier. XXE vulnerabilities arise when XML parsers process external entity references without proper restrictions, allowing attackers to craft malicious XML input that references local or remote resources. In this case, the vulnerability enables an unauthenticated remote attacker to read arbitrary files on the server hosting ColdFusion by submitting specially crafted XML payloads. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a changed scope, meaning the impact extends beyond the vulnerable component to other parts of the system. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.8 reflects a network attack vector but with high attack complexity, indicating that exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing sensitive files but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and Adobe has not yet published patches or mitigation guidance. ColdFusion is widely used for web application development and deployment, often in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability a significant risk if left unaddressed.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-61821 could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including configuration files, credentials, or proprietary data stored on ColdFusion servers. This exposure could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or data breaches. Given ColdFusion's use in government, finance, healthcare, and other critical sectors in Europe, the confidentiality breach could have regulatory and reputational consequences, including violations of GDPR. The lack of required authentication and user interaction increases the risk of automated or remote exploitation attempts. Although the attack complexity is high, targeted attackers with sufficient knowledge could exploit this vulnerability to gain valuable intelligence or footholds within networks. The changed scope implies that the impact could extend beyond the ColdFusion application itself, potentially affecting other integrated systems or services.

European organizations should immediately inventory their ColdFusion deployments to identify affected versions (2025.4, 2023.16, 2021.22, and earlier). Until official patches are released by Adobe, organizations should implement the following mitigations: 1) Disable or restrict XML external entity processing in ColdFusion's XML parsers by configuring parser settings or applying XML security best practices. 2) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block malicious XML payloads containing external entity references. 3) Restrict ColdFusion server access to trusted networks and limit exposure to the internet. 4) Monitor logs for suspicious XML parsing errors or unusual file access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Apply the principle of least privilege to ColdFusion service accounts and file system permissions to minimize data exposure. 6) Prepare to deploy official Adobe patches promptly once available. 7) Conduct security awareness and incident response exercises focused on XXE attack detection and mitigation.