CVE-2025-49537 Overview
CVE-2025-49537 is an OS Command Injection vulnerability [CWE-78] affecting Adobe ColdFusion versions 2025.2, 2023.14, 2021.20 and earlier. The flaw stems from Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, allowing a high-privileged attacker to execute arbitrary code on the host. Exploitation requires user interaction and results in a scope change, meaning impact extends beyond the vulnerable component. The vulnerable component is restricted to internal IP addresses, limiting the attack surface to adjacent network reach.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution on the ColdFusion host, with confidentiality, integrity, and availability all fully impacted.
Affected Products
- Adobe ColdFusion 2025 (versions 2025.2 and earlier, including Update 1 and Update 2)
- Adobe ColdFusion 2023 (versions 2023.14 and earlier, through Update 14)
- Adobe ColdFusion 2021 (versions 2021.20 and earlier, through Update 20)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-07-08 - CVE-2025-49537 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-49537
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in a ColdFusion component that constructs and executes operating system commands using untrusted input. Because special shell metacharacters are not neutralized before being passed to a command interpreter, an authenticated high-privileged user can inject additional commands. The scope-change indicator shows that the vulnerable ColdFusion process can influence resources beyond its own security authority, such as the underlying operating system context. Exploitation requires user interaction, suggesting an administrative workflow, form submission, or file interaction is needed to trigger the command path. The vulnerable component is restricted to internal IP addresses, which narrows the exposure to adjacent network scenarios rather than direct internet-facing attacks. The EPSS probability for this CVE is 2.548%, placing it in the 83rd percentile of scored vulnerabilities.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, and backticks before user-controlled data reaches an OS command execution routine. ColdFusion tags or internal utilities that invoke system commands do not sanitize or parameterize inputs, permitting command chaining.
Attack Vector
An adjacent-network attacker with high-privilege ColdFusion credentials submits crafted input to a ColdFusion function or administrative interface that ultimately passes the payload to the operating system shell. User interaction, such as an administrator clicking a link or approving a request, is required to trigger the vulnerable code path. Successful injection executes attacker-controlled commands under the ColdFusion service account.
No verified public proof-of-concept exploit code is available at the time of publication. Refer to the Adobe ColdFusion Security Advisory APSB25-69 for vendor-supplied technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49537
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by the ColdFusion Java runtime (coldfusion.exe, jrun.exe, or the JVM invoking cmd.exe, powershell.exe, /bin/sh, or /bin/bash).
- ColdFusion administrator or scheduled task logs referencing commands containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, or backticks.
- Outbound network connections initiated from the ColdFusion service account to unknown hosts shortly after administrative activity.
Detection Strategies
- Baseline the process tree of ColdFusion services and alert on any deviation involving shell interpreters or scripting engines.
- Inspect ColdFusion application.log, exception.log, and server.log for administrative actions that coincide with process spawns.
- Correlate high-privileged ColdFusion account logins from adjacent-network sources with subsequent command execution events.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable command-line auditing on ColdFusion hosts and forward events to a centralized log platform for retention and search.
- Monitor changes to ColdFusion administrator accounts, scheduled tasks, and deployed CFM/CFC files for unauthorized modifications.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49537
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the security updates referenced in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-69 to ColdFusion 2025, 2023, and 2021 installations.
- Review and restrict high-privilege ColdFusion administrator accounts, removing unused credentials and enforcing strong authentication.
- Confirm the ColdFusion Administrator interface is not exposed beyond required internal networks.
Patch Information
Adobe released fixed builds addressing CVE-2025-49537 in the July 2025 ColdFusion security update. Administrators should upgrade to a version later than ColdFusion 2025.2, 2023.14, and 2021.20 as specified in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB25-69.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to the ColdFusion Administrator and internal management endpoints using network segmentation and host firewalls.
- Run the ColdFusion service under a least-privilege account that cannot execute arbitrary system binaries.
- Enforce the ColdFusion lockdown guide recommendations, including disabling unused components and applying sandbox security.
# Example: restrict access to ColdFusion Administrator port to internal management subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8500 -s 10.10.20.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8500 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
