CVE-2013-0632
Adobe ColdFusion Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2013-0632 is a CRITICAL vulnerability in Adobe ColdFusion, carrying a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8. An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Adobe ColdFusion which could result in an unauthorized user gaining administrative access. The flaw is classified under CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions). Exploitation targets the web-accessible administrative interface, allowing an attacker to gain unauthorized access and execute code on the underlying server, which typically hosts business-critical web applications. This CVE is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-03-24. With an EPSS score of 0.92249 (99.72th percentile), this vulnerability exhibits substantial real-world exploitation activity.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| adobe | coldfusion | 9.0; 9.0.1; 9.0.2; 10.0 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa13-01.html(Mitigation, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb13-03.html(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/30210(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2013-0632(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions
CVE-2013-0632 is classified under CWE-276 — Incorrect Default Permissions. Incorrect Default Permissions occurs when software installs files, directories, or other resources with permissions that are more permissive than necessary, exposing them to unintended actors. Common manifestations include world-writable executables, configuration files readable by all users, and directories with overly permissive access. When critical files have incorrect permissions, local attackers can read sensitive data, modify executables to inject malicious code, or escalate privileges by exploiting setuid/setgid binaries with weak permissions.
In the context of Adobe ColdFusion, this weakness class is particularly concerning because the product is widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments. Incorrect default permissions are a significant source of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities. World-writable executables allow any local user to inject malicious code that runs with the file owner's privileges. Configuration files with sensitive credentials become accessible to unauthorized users. In multi-tenant environments, improper permissions enable cross-tenant data access. Setuid/setgid programs with weak permissions are particularly dangerous—attackers can modify them to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability class has been exploited in numerous privilege escalation attacks across Windows, Linux, and macOS systems. Organizations using affected versions should understand that this weakness class frequently enables reliable exploitation paths that threat actors actively leverage in both targeted and opportunistic attacks.
Impact Analysis
CVE-2013-0632 carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 (CRITICAL) with the following impact characteristics.
Confidentiality (HIGH): An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to all data accessible by the affected component. In the context of Adobe ColdFusion, this can include sensitive configuration data, user credentials, proprietary business information, and any data the application processes or stores.
Integrity (HIGH): Successful exploitation enables an attacker to modify, corrupt, or destroy data within the affected system. This includes the potential to tamper with system files, install backdoors or persistent malware, alter critical configurations, and manipulate application logic to serve malicious purposes.
Availability (HIGH): The vulnerability can be exploited to cause complete denial of service, rendering the affected system or application unavailable to legitimate users. System crashes, infinite loops, or resource exhaustion may persist until manual administrative intervention restores normal operation.
Scope (Unchanged): The exploitation impact is contained within the security scope of the vulnerable component itself. While the damage within that scope can be severe with full compromise of the affected application, lateral impact on other systems requires additional exploitation steps.
With an EPSS score of 0.92249 (99.72th percentile), this vulnerability ranks among the most likely to be exploited in the wild, placing it well above the vast majority of all cataloged vulnerabilities in terms of real-world exploitation activity.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2013-0632 demonstrates significant exploit maturity with confirmed active exploitation in the wild.
Active exploitation: This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming that it has been observed being actively exploited by threat actors. The KEV designation mandates federal agencies to apply remediation within a defined timeframe and serves as a strong signal of real-world risk.
Ransomware association: As of the current KEV catalog data, no direct ransomware association has been confirmed for CVE-2013-0632. However, the vulnerability's characteristics and confirmed exploitation in the wild mean it remains a viable vector for various threat actors including cybercriminals and advanced persistent threat groups.
Public exploits: Public exploit code is available, significantly lowering the barrier for exploitation. Known exploit references include entries on Exploit-DB. The availability of weaponized code means that both sophisticated threat actors and less-skilled attackers can target this vulnerability with minimal development effort.
KEV remediation deadline: CISA set a remediation deadline of 2022-03-24 for federal agencies, underscoring the urgency of patching. Organizations beyond the federal sector should treat this deadline as a strong indicator of the risk level and prioritize remediation accordingly.
Remediation
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Apply vendor-provided security patches immediately. Apply updates per vendor instructions. Consult the official security advisory for specific patch versions and deployment guidance.
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Verify affected product versions in your environment. Affected products include: Coldfusion (9.0; 9.0.1; 9.0.2; 10.0). Conduct an inventory of all instances across your organization to ensure comprehensive patch coverage and prevent any unpatched systems from remaining exposed.
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Implement interim mitigations if immediate patching is not feasible. Restrict network access to the affected service using firewall rules and access control lists. Limit exposure to trusted networks only and monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns targeting the vulnerable service.
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Enable enhanced monitoring and detection. Configure intrusion detection systems and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect exploitation attempts targeting CVE-2013-0632. Review security logs for indicators of compromise and establish alerting for anomalous behavior on systems running affected software.
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Conduct a post-patch vulnerability assessment. After applying patches, verify that the remediation was effective by running vulnerability scans against all previously affected systems. Confirm the vulnerability is no longer present and ensure no instances were missed during deployment.
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Review and update incident response procedures. Ensure your incident response plan accounts for potential exploitation of CVE-2013-0632. Document patching status and maintain evidence of remediation for compliance and audit purposes.
Technical Details
CVE-2013-0632 is a critical-severity vulnerability affecting Adobe ColdFusion. An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Adobe ColdFusion which could result in an unauthorized user gaining administrative access.
Attack Vector: The attack vector is NETWORK, meaning the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring the attacker to have local access to the target system. This significantly expands the potential attacker population and makes the vulnerability accessible to remote threat actors.
Attack Complexity: The attack complexity is LOW. Exploitation does not require specialized conditions, race conditions, or extensive preparation — making it accessible to a broad range of attackers including those with limited technical sophistication.
Underlying mechanism: The vulnerability stems from incorrect default permissions, where incorrect default permissions occurs when software installs files, directories, or other resources with permissions that are more permissive than necessary, exposing them to unintended actors. In the context of ColdFusion, this manifests when processing specially crafted input that triggers the underlying memory corruption or logic flaw, allowing the attacker to achieve code execution or other malicious outcomes.
Affected products: Coldfusion (9.0; 9.0.1; 9.0.2; 10.0). Organizations should cross-reference their deployed versions against this list to assess their exposure to this vulnerability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2013-0632?
CVE-2013-0632 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) affecting Adobe ColdFusion. An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in Adobe ColdFusion which could result in an unauthorized user gaining administrative access. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild.
Which products are affected by CVE-2013-0632?
The vulnerability affects Adobe products including Coldfusion. Affected versions include 9.0; 9.0.1; 9.0.2; 10.0. Organizations should consult the vendor's security advisory for the complete list of affected versions and available patches.
How do I fix CVE-2013-0632?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Refer to the official vendor security advisory for specific patch downloads and deployment instructions. If immediate patching is not possible, implement interim mitigations such as restricting access to the vulnerable component, enabling enhanced monitoring, and educating users about potential attack vectors. Verify remediation effectiveness with post-patch vulnerability scanning.
How severe is CVE-2013-0632?
CVE-2013-0632 is rated CRITICAL with a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8. Its EPSS score of 0.92249 places it in the 99.72th percentile for exploitation likelihood, meaning it is more likely to be exploited than 99.7% of all known vulnerabilities. The KEV remediation deadline was 2022-03-24, and the vulnerability's confirmed active exploitation makes it a high-priority remediation target. Organizations should treat patching as urgent regardless of whether they believe they are currently targeted.
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