CVE-2025-61823 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-611, involving improper restriction of XML External Entity (XXE) references in Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.4, 2023.16, 2021.22, and earlier. XXE vulnerabilities occur when XML parsers process external entity references without adequate restrictions, allowing attackers to read arbitrary files or perform other unauthorized actions. In this case, a high-privileged attacker can exploit the vulnerability to read sensitive files on the server by crafting malicious XML input that triggers the external entity resolution. The vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning the attacker must convince a user to perform an action that processes the malicious XML. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.2, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, user interaction needed, scope changed, and high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability poses a risk of sensitive data disclosure if exploited. ColdFusion is a widely used web application development platform, and this vulnerability could expose critical configuration files, credentials, or other sensitive data stored on affected servers.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-61823 is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored on ColdFusion servers. This could include configuration files, database credentials, or proprietary data, leading to confidentiality breaches. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that rely on ColdFusion for web applications are particularly at risk. The requirement for high privileges and user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially from insider threats or targeted attacks involving social engineering. Data exposure could facilitate further attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate but significant risk that must be addressed promptly to prevent data leaks and maintain compliance with European data protection regulations such as GDPR.

1. Apply official Adobe patches or updates for ColdFusion as soon as they are released to address CVE-2025-61823. 2. Until patches are available, disable or restrict XML external entity processing in ColdFusion configurations to prevent XXE exploitation. 3. Implement strict access controls to limit high-privileged user accounts and monitor their activities closely. 4. Educate users about social engineering risks to reduce the chance of successful user interaction exploitation. 5. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block malicious XML payloads containing external entity references. 6. Conduct regular security audits and code reviews of ColdFusion applications to identify and remediate unsafe XML parsing practices. 7. Monitor logs for unusual XML processing errors or access to sensitive files that could indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Segment ColdFusion servers from critical internal networks to contain potential breaches.