Unrestricted file upload in ColdFusion - CVE-2018-15961
Published: September 11, 2018 / Updated: October 6, 2022
Vulnerability identifier: #VU14752
CSH Severity: Critical
CVSS v4: 9.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2018-15961
CWE-ID: CWE-434
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
The vulnerability is being exploited in the wild
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The vulnerability exists due to input validation error when processing file uploads in "/cf_scripts/scripts/ajax/ckeditor/plugins/filemanager/upload.cfm". A remote non-authenticated attacker can upload and execute arbitrary file on the target system.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.
Note: this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild to upload a China Chopper webshell.
Affected software
ColdFusion
How to mitigate CVE-2018-15961
Install update from vendor's website.
ColdFusion - addressed in versions 11 Update 15, 2016 Update 7, 2018 Update 1
Links to Public Exploits and PoC-codes
- Exploit #8444 - CVE-2018-15961 (Adobe ColdFusion versions July 12 release (2018.0.0.310739), Update 6 and earlier, and Update 14 and earlier have an unrestricted file upload vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.) (October 6, 2022)
- Exploit #6491 - CVE-2018-15961 (Exploit for CVE-2018-15961, a unrestricted file upload vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion 2018 leading to RCE) (June 30, 2021)
- Exploit #5971 - Adobe ColdFusion 2018 - Arbitrary File Upload (June 17, 2021)
- Exploit #210 - CVE-2018-15961 (Unrestricted file upload in Adobe ColdFusion) (March 18, 2020)
- Exploit #1554 - Adobe ColdFusion CKEditor unrestricted file upload (March 18, 2020)