CVE-2023-38205
CVE-2023-38205 is a high-severity vulnerability in Adobe Coldfusion with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2023-07-20). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-284.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 100% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2023-07-20)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2023-42025
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2023-07-20)
- Weakness: CWE-284
- Affected product: Adobe Coldfusion
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018u18 (and earlier), 2021u8 (and earlier) and 2023u2 (and earlier) are affected by an Improper Access Control vulnerability that could result in a Security feature bypass. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access the administration CFM and CFC endpoints. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2023-38205?
- Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018u18 (and earlier), 2021u8 (and earlier) and 2023u2 (and earlier) are affected by an Improper Access Control vulnerability that could result in a Security feature bypass. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access the administration CFM and CFC endpoints. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.
- How severe is CVE-2023-38205?
- CVE-2023-38205 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2023-38205 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2023-38205 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2023-07-20, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2023-38205?
- CVE-2023-38205 primarily affects Adobe Coldfusion. In total, 30 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-38205?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2023-38205 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2023-38205 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2023-42025. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2023-07-20).
- When was CVE-2023-38205 published?
- CVE-2023-38205 was published on 2023-09-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/coldfusion/apsb23-47.html
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-38205
Affected products (30)
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update10:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update11:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update12:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update13:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update14:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update15:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update16:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update18:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update4:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update5:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update6:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update7:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update8:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2018:update9:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:update1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:update2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:update3:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:update4:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:update5:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:update6:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:update7:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2021:update8:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2023:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2023:update1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:adobe:coldfusion:2023:update2:*:*:*:*:*:*
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