CVE-2026-48277: Adobe ColdFusion Critical Input Validation RCE (CVSS 10.0)

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-48277 is a CVSS 10.0 Critical improper input validation vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion (CWE-20) that enables unauthenticated remote code execution without user interaction. Disclosed as part of Adobe's APSB26-68 bulletin on June 30, 2026, the flaw affects ColdFusion 2023 (through Update 20) and ColdFusion 2025 (through Update 9).

With four simultaneous CVSS 10.0 CVEs published in a single advisory, organizations running internet-exposed ColdFusion should treat this as an emergency.

Vulnerability Overview

Affected Versions

Technical Analysis

Root Cause

CVE-2026-48277 is an improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20). ColdFusion fails to adequately validate or sanitize attacker-controlled input before using it in a security-sensitive operation. This allows a remote attacker to supply specially crafted input that is interpreted by the server in an unintended way, ultimately achieving arbitrary code execution.

CWE-20 in the ColdFusion Context

Improper input validation in ColdFusion can manifest in several ways:

• CFML template injection — unvalidated input passed to CFML tags or functions
• Java object deserialization — crafted serialized objects triggering code execution
• Expression injection — input reaching ColdFusion expression evaluators (e.g., Evaluate(), IIF())
• HTTP header manipulation — malformed headers triggering unexpected code paths

Without authentication requirements, an attacker only needs network access to a ColdFusion endpoint to trigger the vulnerability.

Attack Chain

1. Attacker locates internet-accessible ColdFusion server
2. Sends HTTP request with crafted, malicious input payload
3. ColdFusion processes the input without adequate validation
4. Crafted input triggers unintended code execution path
5. Arbitrary code executes as the ColdFusion service account
6. Attacker establishes persistence, exfiltrates data, or pivots internally

Why CVSS 10.0?

Impact

A successful exploit of CVE-2026-48277 gives an attacker:

• Full remote code execution on the ColdFusion application server
• Access to application data — databases, files, credentials stored in ColdFusion datasources
• Server-level persistence — ability to install backdoors, web shells, or scheduled tasks
• Lateral movement — ColdFusion servers often have broad internal network access
• Supply chain risk — if ColdFusion is part of a larger application stack, compromise extends downstream

Remediation

Priority Actions

1. Patch immediately: Apply APSB26-68 — ColdFusion 2025 Update 10+, ColdFusion 2023 Update 21+
2. Audit for compromise: Review logs for anomalous requests, unexpected process spawning, or new files
3. Restrict access: If patching is delayed, place ColdFusion behind a WAF or remove from internet exposure

Temporary Mitigations

If you cannot patch immediately:

• Firewall ColdFusion ports from public internet access
• Deploy WAF rules to block requests with suspicious payload patterns
• Enable ColdFusion's built-in request filters in the ColdFusion Administrator
• Monitor file system for newly created CFML files in web-accessible paths

Post-Patch Verification

# Verify ColdFusion version after update
# ColdFusion Administrator > Server Settings > Server Information
 
# Check ColdFusion process for suspicious children (Linux)
pstree -p $(pgrep -f coldfusion)
 
# Review recent ColdFusion error logs
tail -500 /opt/coldfusion/cfusion/logs/application.log | grep -i "error\|exception"

Detection

Indicators of Exploit Attempts

SIEM Query Example

index=weblogs sourcetype=apache_access
(uri_path="*cfide*" OR uri_path="*.cfm" OR uri_path="*.cfc")
status=200
http_method=POST
bytes>10000

Context: Four Critical CVEs in APSB26-68

The volume and severity of simultaneous vulnerabilities in a single product suggests significant systemic input handling issues in ColdFusion's codebase. Organizations should reassess their ColdFusion exposure surface and consider whether these applications can be moved behind additional access controls permanently.

Key Takeaways

1. CVSS 10.0 — pre-auth, no interaction, full RCE, maximum impact across all dimensions
2. CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) is the root cause — a common but preventable class of vulnerability
3. Four simultaneous critical CVEs in ColdFusion represent a systemic risk, not an isolated incident
4. Patch ColdFusion immediately — Update 10+ for 2025 series, Update 21+ for 2023 series
5. Assume breach if ColdFusion instances were internet-exposed without recent patching

References

• Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-68
• NVD — CVE-2026-48277
• CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
• OWASP Input Validation Cheat Sheet