CVE-2025-30285 Overview
CVE-2025-30285 is a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability [CWE-502] affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2023.12, 2021.18, 2025.0 and earlier. A high-privileged attacker can leverage the flaw to bypass security protections and execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, and the vulnerability has a changed scope, meaning impact extends beyond the vulnerable component. Adobe published an advisory for this issue under bulletin APSB25-15.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution on the affected ColdFusion server, with confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts on resources outside the vulnerable component's security scope.
Affected Products
- Adobe ColdFusion 2021 (Update 18 and earlier)
- Adobe ColdFusion 2023 (Update 12 and earlier)
- Adobe ColdFusion 2025.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-08 - CVE-2025-30285 published to NVD
- 2025-04-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-30285
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from improper handling of serialized objects within Adobe ColdFusion. When the application deserializes attacker-influenced data, malicious gadget chains can be reconstructed into objects that execute arbitrary code during the deserialization process. Because ColdFusion runs as a Java-based application server, deserialization weaknesses can be chained through available classpath gadgets to achieve native code execution on the host.
The issue carries a changed scope, indicating that exploitation can impact components beyond the ColdFusion process itself. The required privileges are high, meaning the attacker must already hold administrative or otherwise elevated access on the target instance, and a user must perform an action to trigger the deserialization path.
Root Cause
The root cause is unsafe deserialization of untrusted input streams. ColdFusion accepts serialized data without sufficient validation of object types or filtering of dangerous classes, allowing object graphs containing gadget chains to be reconstructed into runnable code. This pattern is tracked under CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data).
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable over a network. An authenticated attacker with elevated privileges submits a crafted serialized payload to a ColdFusion endpoint that processes serialized data. A user interaction step must occur, after which the deserialization routine instantiates malicious objects, leading to code execution under the running user's context. The vulnerability has not been reported as exploited in the wild and is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Adobe ColdFusion Security Advisory APSB25-15 for vendor technical guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30285
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by the ColdFusion JVM process (coldfusion.exe, jrun.exe, or java running ColdFusion classes), particularly shells, scripting interpreters, or PowerShell
- Anomalous outbound network connections originating from the ColdFusion server to unfamiliar hosts shortly after administrative or privileged sessions
- Suspicious files written to ColdFusion web roots, cfusion/wwwroot, or temporary directories following authenticated administrator activity
Detection Strategies
- Monitor HTTP requests to ColdFusion administrative endpoints for payloads containing Java serialization magic bytes (AC ED 00 05) or base64-encoded equivalents (rO0AB)
- Inspect ColdFusion application and JVM logs for ObjectInputStream deserialization errors, class-not-found exceptions, or unexpected reflection activity
- Correlate privileged administrator logins with subsequent process creation events on the ColdFusion host to identify post-authentication exploitation
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose audit logging on the ColdFusion Administrator and restrict access to internal management networks only
- Forward web server, JVM, and operating system telemetry to a centralized SIEM or data lake for behavioral correlation
- Track file integrity on ColdFusion installation directories, custom tag paths, and web roots to detect unauthorized modifications
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30285
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Adobe security updates referenced in APSB25-15 to ColdFusion 2021, 2023, and 2025 installations
- Audit and reduce the number of accounts with ColdFusion administrator privileges, since exploitation requires high privileges
- Restrict network access to the ColdFusion Administrator and internal APIs to trusted management hosts using firewall or reverse proxy rules
Patch Information
Adobe addressed CVE-2025-30285 in the security updates released as part of bulletin APSB25-15. Administrators should upgrade ColdFusion 2021 beyond Update 18, ColdFusion 2023 beyond Update 12, and update ColdFusion 2025 to the latest available release. Validate the patch level via the ColdFusion Administrator's update page after installation.
Workarounds
- Enforce ColdFusion's secure profile and disable unused features that accept serialized input where operationally feasible
- Place the ColdFusion Administrator behind a VPN or zero-trust access broker and require multi-factor authentication for privileged users
- Apply Java deserialization filters (jdk.serialFilter) on the underlying JVM to block known dangerous gadget classes until patches are deployed
# Configuration example: JVM-level deserialization allowlist
# Add to jvm.config (CF_INSTALL/cfusion/bin/jvm.config)
-Djdk.serialFilter="!org.apache.commons.collections.functors.**;!org.apache.commons.collections4.functors.**;!org.codehaus.groovy.runtime.**;!com.sun.rowset.**;maxdepth=20;maxrefs=1000"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
