ColdFusion: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CVE-2025-49535 is a critical-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in ColdFusion from Adobe, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.3 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected ColdFusion versions: 2021.20 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 0.67% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
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.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe | ColdFusion | 2021.20 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
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- 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
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (adobe.com).
Official description
ColdFusion versions 2025.2, 2023.14, 2021.20 and earlier are affected by an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference ('XXE') vulnerability that could result in a Security feature bypass. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive information or denial of service by bypassing security measures. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction and scope is changed. The vulnerable component is restricted to internal IP addresses.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
The product processes an XML document that can contain XML entities with URIs that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Many XML parsers and validators can be configured to disable external entity expansion.
More Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-611)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, 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 XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.7 High severity
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