CVE-2026-48283: Adobe ColdFusion RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-48283 Overview

CVE-2026-48283 is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability [CWE-434] in Adobe ColdFusion. The flaw affects ColdFusion 2025.9, 2023.20, and earlier versions. An unauthenticated remote attacker can upload files with dangerous types to a vulnerable server. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The vulnerability requires no user interaction and changes scope, meaning impact can extend beyond the vulnerable component. Adobe published a security bulletin addressing this issue in advisory APSB26-68.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution on affected ColdFusion servers by uploading malicious files over the network without user interaction.

Affected Products

Adobe ColdFusion 2025 (including updates 1 through 9)
Adobe ColdFusion 2023 (including updates 1 through 20)
Adobe ColdFusion 2025.9, 2023.20, and earlier versions

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-48283 published to NVD
2026-07-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-48283

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-48283 is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability [CWE-434] in Adobe ColdFusion. The server accepts file uploads without adequately validating or restricting file types. Attackers can upload executable content, such as ColdFusion Markup (.cfm) files or JSP artifacts, that the ColdFusion runtime will interpret. Once the uploaded file is invoked, the attacker gains arbitrary code execution in the context of the ColdFusion service account. The scope change indicated in the CVSS vector reflects that compromise of ColdFusion can pivot to affect other components on the host, including the underlying operating system and adjacent web applications.

Root Cause

The vulnerability stems from missing or insufficient validation of file extensions, content types, and destination paths in ColdFusion's upload handling logic. Adobe classifies the weakness under CWE-434, which covers scenarios where an application permits attackers to upload files that the platform later processes as code. Because ColdFusion associates specific file extensions with server-side interpretation, an uploaded file placed in a web-accessible directory can be executed by a subsequent request.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network against an exposed ColdFusion instance. The attacker submits a crafted HTTP request that uploads a dangerous file type to a writable location served by the ColdFusion application. The attacker then requests the uploaded resource, causing ColdFusion to execute the embedded payload. Because the flaw requires no authentication and no user interaction, internet-facing ColdFusion servers face the highest exposure. Refer to the Adobe ColdFusion Security Advisory APSB26-68 for vendor guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-48283

Indicators of Compromise

New or unexpected files with executable extensions such as .cfm, .cfc, .jsp, or .class appearing in ColdFusion web roots or upload directories.
Child processes spawned by the ColdFusion service (coldfusion.exe, jrun.exe, or the Java process) that launch shells, cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh.
HTTP POST requests to file upload endpoints followed shortly by GET requests to newly created files under the web root.
Outbound network connections from the ColdFusion service to unfamiliar external hosts.

Detection Strategies

Monitor ColdFusion access logs for POST requests to upload handlers followed by GET requests to newly written files in the same directory.
Alert on writes of interpretable file extensions to directories that are also web-accessible.
Correlate process lineage where the ColdFusion Java process spawns command interpreters or scripting engines.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable file integrity monitoring on ColdFusion install directories, CFIDE, and all mapped web roots.
Forward ColdFusion application, IIS, and Apache access logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and correlation.
Track authentication and administrative activity against the ColdFusion Administrator console for signs of secondary access.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-48283

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the security updates referenced in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB26-68 to ColdFusion 2025 and ColdFusion 2023 installations.
Inventory internet-facing ColdFusion servers and prioritize patching those exposed to untrusted networks.
Review web roots and upload directories for unexpected files created before the patch was applied.
Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or accessible from affected ColdFusion hosts if compromise is suspected.

Patch Information

Adobe released fixes for CVE-2026-48283 in security bulletin APSB26-68. Administrators should upgrade to a ColdFusion 2025 release later than 2025.9 and a ColdFusion 2023 release later than 2023.20 as specified by Adobe. Consult the Adobe ColdFusion Security Advisory for exact patched build numbers and installation procedures.

Workarounds

Restrict network access to ColdFusion administrative interfaces and upload endpoints using firewall rules or a reverse proxy allowlist.
Configure the ColdFusion server to run with the least privileges required and deny write permissions on directories that are also web-executable.
Deploy a web application firewall rule set that blocks uploads of interpretable file extensions to ColdFusion endpoints.
Disable or remove unused ColdFusion components and sample applications that expose upload functionality.

bash

# Configuration example: restrict execution in an upload directory (Apache)
<Directory "/opt/coldfusion/cfusion/wwwroot/uploads">
    Options -ExecCGI
    <FilesMatch "\.(cfm|cfc|cfml|jsp)$">
        Require all denied
    </FilesMatch>
</Directory>