ColdFusion: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts
CVE-2023-29301 is a high-severity improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts vulnerability in ColdFusion from Adobe, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected ColdFusion versions: 2023.0.0.330468 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 34.7% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 1.55% of all scored CVEs.
EPSS places it among the vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited soon.
What to do
- Check which version of ColdFusion you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on helpx.adobe.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe | ColdFusion | 2023.0.0.330468 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by CNA (adobe.com).
Official description
Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018u16 (and earlier), 2021u6 (and earlier) and 2023.0.0.330468 (and earlier) are affected by an Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerability that could result in a Security feature bypass. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to impact the confidentiality of the user. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts
The product does not implement sufficient measures to prevent multiple failed authentication attempts within a short time frame.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Common protection mechanisms include: Disconnecting the user after a small number of failed attempts Implementing a timeout Locking out a targeted account Requiring a computational task on the user's part.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator.
More Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerabilities (CWE-307)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in ColdFusion
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
Recent Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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