CVE-2021-40698Network attack vector

Arbitrary data manipulation via undisclosed dangerous function

Published Sep 7, 2023 · Updated Sep 4, 2024

CWE-242 in Adobe ColdFusion 2018 Update 11 and earlier and 2021 Update 1 and earlier allows attackers to access or alter arbitrary data. Adobe does not identify the dangerous function or explain how untrusted input reaches it; the bulletin only prescribes Java filtering for JEE deployments. The CNA prose requires authentication, while Adobe's published vector records no privileges, leaving the access gate publicly inconsistent.

CVSS severity7.4
High
EPSS probability0.55%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

CWE-242 in Adobe ColdFusion 2018 Update 11 and earlier and 2021 Update 1 and earlier allows attackers to access or alter arbitrary data. Adobe does not identify the dangerous function or explain how untrusted input reaches it; the bulletin only prescribes Java filtering for JEE deployments. The CNA prose requires authentication, while Adobe's published vector records no privileges, leaving the access gate publicly inconsistent.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-40698
Published
Sep 7, 2023
Updated
Sep 4, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
ColdFusion
Classifications
CWE-242
Attack vector
network
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 7, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=2018.11

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Adobe · ColdFusionversion=0 <=2018.11

Published CVSS scores

7.4AdobeCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-242Use of Inherently Dangerous Function

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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