Allaire Security Bulletin (ASB99-01)
   Expression Evaluator Security Issues
   
   Originally Posted: February 4, 1999
   Last Updated: April 30, 1999
   
   Summary
   One of the sample applications installed with ColdFusion Server, the
   Expression Evaluator, exposes the ability to read, upload, and delete
   files on the server. Allaire has released a patch that will limit
   access to the Expression Evaluator to page requests made from the
   machine where it is installed. As an additional measure of protection,
   Allaire recommends that customers not install (or remove existing)
   documentation, sample code, example applications and tutorials on
   production servers and secure access to these files on workstations.
   
   Issue
   A range of sample code and example applications are provided with
   ColdFusion Server to assist customers in learning and using the
   product. Among these is an application called the Expression
   Evaluator, which is installed in the //CFDOCS/expeval/ directory. The
   Expression Evaluator lets users process expressions such as 1 + 1 to
   see how ColdFusion expression evaluation works.
   
   Used normally, the application is restricted to access from the local
   machine based on the 127.0.0.1 IP address. However, some pages in the
   Expression Evaluator can be accessed directly, exposing the ability to
   read and delete files anywhere on the server where the evaluator is
   installed. Additionally, files can be uploaded to the server,
   including executable template files.
   
   Affected Software Versions
     * Cold Fusion Application Server 2.0 (all editions)
     * Cold Fusion Application Server 3.0 (all editions)
     * Cold Fusion Application Server 3.1 (all editions)
     * ColdFusion Server 4.0 (all editions)
       
   What Allaire is Doing
   Allaire has released a patch that modifies the Expression Evaluator so
   that all the pages in the Evaluator are restricted to access from the
   local machine where the Expression Evaluator is installed based on the
   127.0.0.1 IP address.
   
   [4]Download - ColdFusion Expression Evaluator Security Patch (Windows
   NT)
   [5]Download - ColdFusion Expression Evaluator Security Patch (Solaris)
   Additionally, the [6]ColdFusion Server 4.0.1 update, available from
   the Allaire site as of April 9, 1999, includes the security patch.
   [7]ColdFusion 4.0.1 updates
   What Customers Should Do
   Customers should run the patch on all of their systems where the
   Expression Evaluator is installed.
   
   Furthermore, we recommend that customers remove (or not install in the
   first place) all documentation, sample code, example applications, and
   tutorials from production servers (e.g. servers accessible by end
   users via the Internet, intranets or extranets). The CFDOCS directory
   should be secured on developer workstations. The examples that are
   installed with ColdFusion are installed in the CFDOCS directory, which
   is normally installed in the root Web server directory. These examples
   can be removed by deleting the CFDOCS directory. Instead of deleting
   these files, the entire CFDOCS directory can be secured with standard
   Web server security.
   
   Revisions
   February 4, 1999 -- Bulletin first released.
   April 30, 1999 -- Bulletin updated to include 4.0.1 release and notice
   of file uploading vulnerability.
   
   Reporting Security Issues
   Allaire is committed to addressing security issues and providing
   customers with the information on how they can protect themselves. If
   you identify what you believe may be a security issue with an Allaire
   product, please send an email to secure@allaire.com. We will work to
   appropriately address and communicate the issue.
   
   Receiving Security Bulletins
   When Allaire becomes aware of a security issue that we believe
   significantly affects our products or customers, we will notify
   customers when appropriate. Typically this notification will be in the
   form of a security bulletin explaining the issue and the response.
   Allaire customers who would like to receive notification of new
   security bulletins when they are released can sign up for our security
   notification service.
   
   For additional information on security issues at Allaire, please visit
   the Security Zone at:
   [8]http://www.allaire.com/security
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   IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. ALLAIRE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES,
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   CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
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References

   1. LYNXIMGMAP:http://www1.allaire.com/handlers/index.cfm?ID=8727&Method=Full#allaireHome
   2. LYNXIMGMAP:http://www1.allaire.com/handlers/index.cfm?ID=8727&Method=Full#tools
   3. javascript:history.back()
   4. http://download.allaire.com/patches/coldfusion/cfexpreval.exe
   5. http://download.allaire.com/patches/coldfusion/cfexpreval.tar.Z
   6. http://www1.allaire.com/handlers/index.cfm?ID=10712&Method=Full
   7. http://www1.allaire.com/handlers/index.cfm?ID=10712&Method=Full
   8. http://www.allaire.com/security
   9. mailto:webmaster@allaire.com
  10. mailto:info@allaire.com
  11. http://www.allaire.com/privacy/