Unauthenticated code execution via TemplateProxy path resolution
Published Mar 23, 2023 · Updated Oct 21, 2025
Deserialization in Adobe ColdFusion 2018 Update 15 and earlier and 2021 Update 5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code. ComponentFilter passes attacker-controlled _variables from _cfclient requests to JSONUtils.deserializeJSON, whose TemplateProxy conversion resolves a supplied classname as a server file and compiles it as CFML. Any reachable CFC endpoint exposes the flaw; a valid endpoint and method can return arbitrary file contents, while logged CFML executes under the ColdFusion service account.
Summary
What happened
Deserialization in Adobe ColdFusion 2018 Update 15 and earlier and 2021 Update 5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code. ComponentFilter passes attacker-controlled _variables from _cfclient requests to JSONUtils.deserializeJSON, whose TemplateProxy conversion resolves a supplied classname as a server file and compiles it as CFML. Any reachable CFC endpoint exposes the flaw; a valid endpoint and method can return arbitrary file contents, while logged CFML executes under the ColdFusion service account.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-26360
- Published
- Mar 23, 2023
- Updated
- Oct 21, 2025
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- ColdFusion
- Classifications
- CWE-502, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 23, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 21, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=CF2018U15
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=CF2021U5
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- ProjectDiscovery ColdFusion local file read templatefunctional · validated
- Metasploit Adobe ColdFusion unauthenticated RCE moduleweaponized · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- U.S. government agency ColdFusion compromisesreported exploitation
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo