CVE-2025-61821 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-611, which pertains to improper restriction of XML External Entity (XXE) references in Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.4, 2023.16, 2021.22, and earlier. XXE vulnerabilities arise when XML parsers process external entity references without adequate restrictions, allowing attackers to craft malicious XML input that forces the parser to disclose sensitive files or internal resources. In this case, the vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files on the server hosting ColdFusion, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other critical data. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, increasing its risk profile, and the scope is changed, indicating that the impact extends beyond the local component to affect broader system confidentiality. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.8 reflects a medium severity with network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, changed scope, and high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the presence of this vulnerability in widely used ColdFusion versions necessitates prompt attention. ColdFusion is often used in enterprise web applications, making this vulnerability a significant risk for data breaches if exploited. The lack of patch links suggests that either patches are pending release or users must apply configuration mitigations. Organizations should audit their ColdFusion deployments, identify affected versions, and implement controls to restrict or disable XML external entity processing until patches are available.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-61821 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information due to arbitrary file read capabilities. For European organizations, this can lead to exposure of confidential business data, intellectual property, customer information, and internal credentials, potentially resulting in regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations) and reputational damage. Since ColdFusion is used in various sectors including government, finance, and healthcare, exploitation could compromise critical services and sensitive citizen or patient data. The vulnerability's network-based exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the risk of automated scanning and attacks. The changed scope means that the vulnerability could affect interconnected systems or services relying on ColdFusion, amplifying the potential damage. Although integrity and availability are not directly impacted, the confidentiality breach alone can have severe consequences including facilitating further attacks such as lateral movement or privilege escalation. European organizations with legacy ColdFusion deployments or those slow to patch are particularly vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense but also means attackers may develop exploits soon after public disclosure.

1. Immediately identify all Adobe ColdFusion instances in the environment and verify their versions against the affected list (2025.4, 2023.16, 2021.22, and earlier). 2. Apply official Adobe patches as soon as they become available; monitor Adobe security advisories closely. 3. In the interim, disable XML external entity processing in ColdFusion's XML parsers by configuring the XML parser features to disallow external entity resolution. 4. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any XML inputs to ColdFusion applications to detect and block malicious payloads. 5. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block XXE attack patterns targeting ColdFusion endpoints. 6. Monitor logs for unusual XML parsing errors or access to sensitive files indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Restrict ColdFusion server file system permissions to minimize the impact of arbitrary file reads. 8. Conduct security awareness and training for developers and administrators on secure XML handling and patch management. 9. Consider network segmentation to isolate ColdFusion servers from sensitive internal resources. 10. Regularly audit and update ColdFusion and dependent components to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities.