CVE-2025-30289 Overview
CVE-2025-30289 is an OS Command Injection vulnerability [CWE-78] affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2023.12, 2021.18, 2025.0, and earlier. The flaw stems from Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. A low-privileged local attacker can leverage this issue to bypass security protections and execute arbitrary code on the underlying host. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, meaning a victim must be coerced into performing an action within the application. The vulnerability has a changed scope, which means impact extends beyond the vulnerable component. Adobe published guidance in advisory APSB25-15.
Critical Impact
Arbitrary code execution on ColdFusion hosts by a low-privileged local attacker following user interaction, with scope change extending impact beyond the affected component.
Affected Products
- Adobe ColdFusion 2021 (including updates through Update 18)
- Adobe ColdFusion 2023 (including updates through Update 12)
- Adobe ColdFusion 2025 (initial release)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-08 - CVE-2025-30289 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-30289
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-30289 is classified as OS Command Injection [CWE-78]. Adobe ColdFusion accepts input that reaches an OS command handler without adequate neutralization of shell metacharacters. An attacker with low privileges and local access can craft input that alters the intended command, causing the ColdFusion process to execute arbitrary operating system commands. Because scope is changed, code executed through this flaw can impact resources managed outside the ColdFusion component itself. The Adobe advisory APSB25-15 catalogs this issue alongside other ColdFusion fixes for the April 2025 update cycle.
Root Cause
The root cause is Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. ColdFusion does not sufficiently sanitize or parameterize user-controllable input before it is passed into an OS-level command execution path. Shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, and backticks can therefore break out of the intended command context and inject additional commands.
Attack Vector
The attack requires local access, low privileges, and user interaction. An attacker with authenticated access to the ColdFusion instance stages malicious input within the application. A victim user must then perform an action that triggers the vulnerable command path. Once triggered, the injected commands run in the ColdFusion service context, enabling code execution, file manipulation, and lateral movement to adjacent resources given the changed scope.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is available for this issue, and it is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Refer to the Adobe ColdFusion Security Advisory APSB25-15 for vendor-provided technical guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30289
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by the ColdFusion JVM process (coldfusion.exe, jrun.exe, or Java processes running cfusion), particularly shells such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, /bin/sh, or /bin/bash.
- New or modified .cfm, .cfc, or .jsp files under ColdFusion web roots outside of scheduled deployments.
- Outbound network connections initiated by the ColdFusion service to previously unseen hosts following user interaction with application forms.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process lineage on ColdFusion servers to flag ColdFusion or Java parent processes launching command interpreters or system administration binaries.
- Baseline expected ColdFusion command execution activity and alert on deviations involving shell metacharacters (;, |, &&, backticks) in application logs.
- Review ColdFusion administrator and application logs for anomalous parameter values that resemble command payloads following authenticated user sessions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable command-line auditing on ColdFusion hosts and forward process creation events to a central SIEM for correlation.
- Track file integrity on ColdFusion install directories and web application roots to detect unauthorized changes.
- Alert on privilege changes and new local accounts created on ColdFusion servers, which may indicate post-exploitation activity.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30289
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Adobe security updates referenced in advisory APSB25-15 to ColdFusion 2021, 2023, and 2025 installations.
- Inventory ColdFusion instances and confirm each is upgraded past ColdFusion 2021 Update 18, ColdFusion 2023 Update 12, and ColdFusion 2025 initial release.
- Rotate credentials for any accounts with local access to ColdFusion hosts if compromise is suspected.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixes for CVE-2025-30289 in the April 2025 security update cycle. Administrators should install the updates documented in the Adobe ColdFusion Security Advisory APSB25-15 and confirm the ColdFusion version reported by the administrator console matches the patched build.
Workarounds
- Restrict local and administrative access to ColdFusion servers to a minimal set of trusted operators.
- Run the ColdFusion service under a least-privileged service account with no interactive logon rights and no unnecessary filesystem permissions.
- Enable ColdFusion's built-in secure profile and disable unused features such as the deprecated cfexecute tag where feasible.
- Segment ColdFusion hosts from sensitive internal networks to limit blast radius should scope-changing exploitation occur.
# Verify installed ColdFusion version on Linux
cd /opt/coldfusion2023/cfusion/bin
./coldfusion version
# Windows: query version via the administrator or installed programs
# Confirm updates listed in APSB25-15 are applied before returning host to production
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
