CVE-2026-48315: ColdFusion | Improper Input Validation (CWE-20)

Synopsis

An improper input validation vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion (versions 2023.20 and earlier, and 2025.9) allows a network-based attacker with no authentication to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by victims. The attacker must trick a user into opening a crafted file, after which successful exploitation gives the attacker arbitrary code execution in the victim's session context, with the ability to read sensitive data, tamper with account state, and escalate control beyond the initially targeted component. Because no fix versions have been published, HarborGuard is actively tracking this advisory for patch availability.

HarborGuard Coverage

Exploit Conditions

• Network reachabilityRequired

  The vulnerable ColdFusion service must be reachable over the network; an attacker sends a crafted payload from a remote location without needing local access to the host.

• AuthenticationNot required

  No account or credentials are required on the ColdFusion application before launching the attack.

• Victim interactionRequired

  A victim must open a malicious file delivered by the attacker, making this a social-engineering-dependent exploit.

• Attack complexityDetail

  Attack complexity is low, meaning the exploit is reliable and requires no special timing, race conditions, or environmental preconditions beyond victim interaction.

Blast Radius

• The attacker executes arbitrary code in the context of the victim user's session, inheriting that user's permissions and access within the ColdFusion application.
• Stored session tokens, credentials, and customer records rendered in the victim's browser session are exposed to the attacker.
• The attacker can modify account state, submit authenticated actions, or escalate to elevated roles the victim holds within the application.
• Scope is changed, meaning impact can extend beyond the vulnerable ColdFusion component to other systems or services the victim's session can reach.