CVE-2023-38204Network attack vector

Pre-auth remote code execution via unsafe deserialization

Published Sep 14, 2023 · Updated Feb 27, 2025

Deserialization of untrusted data in Adobe ColdFusion 2018u18 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code over the network. Adobe identifies unsafe deserialization of attacker-controlled data, but does not publicly name the endpoint or class that performs the operation. No authentication or user interaction is required, so a network-reachable server can be fully compromised; Adobe does not describe a narrower impact.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability66.84%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Deserialization of untrusted data in Adobe ColdFusion 2018u18 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code over the network. Adobe identifies unsafe deserialization of attacker-controlled data, but does not publicly name the endpoint or class that performs the operation. No authentication or user interaction is required, so a network-reachable server can be fully compromised; Adobe does not describe a narrower impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38204
Published
Sep 14, 2023
Updated
Feb 27, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
ColdFusion
Classifications
CWE-502, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 27, 2025Record 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 <=cf2023U2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · ColdFusionversion=0 <=cf2023U2

Published CVSS scores

9.8Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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