CVE-2023-38204
CriticalExploitedAdobe ColdFusion versions 2018u18 (and earlier), 2021u8 (and earlier) and 2023u2 (and earlier) are affected by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability that could result in Arbitrary code execution.
Published Jul 21, 2023 · Updated Feb 27, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-38204 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting ColdFusion (Adobe).
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Aug 30, 2023. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 67% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
67%
Higher than 99.2% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
None known
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Description
Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018u18 (and earlier), 2021u8 (and earlier) and 2023u2 (and earlier) are affected by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability that could result in Arbitrary code execution. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Aug 30, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
31 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| ColdFusionAdobe | 2018, 2018-update1, 2018-update10, 2018-update11, 2018-update12, 2018-update13, 2018-update14, 2018-update15 | n/a |
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jul 21, 2023
Added to Industry KEV feed
Aug 30, 2023
Last updated
Feb 27, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data
References
- advisoryhttps://blog.projectdiscovery.io/adobe-coldfusion-rce/
- advisoryhttps://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/coldfusion/apsb23-47.html
- advisoryhttps://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/indesign/apsb21-73.html
- advisoryhttps://securityboulevard.com/2023/07/adobe-coldfusion-vulnerabilities-exploited-in-wild/
- advisoryhttps://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2021-39822
FAQ
Common Questions.
Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018u18 (and earlier), 2021u8 (and earlier) and 2023u2 (and earlier) are affected by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability that could result in Arbitrary code execution.
Affected: ColdFusion (Adobe) versions 2018, 2018-update1, 2018-update10, 2018-update11, 2018-update12, 2018-update13, 2018-update14, 2018-update15. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Aug 30, 2023.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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