ColdFusion MX 6.1 on IIS File Contents Disclosure

iDEFENSE Security Advisory 10.05.04a:
www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=148&type=vulnerabilities
October 5, 2004

I. BACKGROUND

ColdFusion is a programming language based on standard HTML that is used
to write dynamic webpages. When a page in a ColdFusion application is
requested by a browser, it is automatically pre-processed by the
ColdFusion Application Server. More information is available at:

http://www.macromedia.com/software/coldfusion/

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of and input validation error in ColdFusion MX 6.1
on IIS could allow the disclosure of file contents.

By supplying a filename of a file not 'associated' with the Coldfusion
plugin and appending ;.cfm or any other extension that is associated
with ColdFusion, it may be possible to view to contents of the files
that otherwise would be protected by IIS's access restrictions.

III. ANALYSIS

This vulnerability may expose sensitive files stored under the webroot,
bypassing access restrictions set in the IIS management system. In order
for the file to be read, it must be accessible to the user Coldfusion
is executing as. This vulnerability still requires knowledge of the
existence of a file of interest. It does not expose the directory
listing.

IV. DETECTION

iDEFENSE has confirmed ColdFusion MX 6.1 on IIS is vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Change the mapping rules for ColdFusion handled files to refer to
specific files instead of the default *.cfm, *.jsp, etc. It is also
possible to mitigate against exploitation by not storing sensitive
information within the webroot of any server. Storing the information
outside of the webroot may require changes to applications.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

MPSB04-09 - Cumulative Security Patch available for ColdFusion MX:
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/security/security_zone/mpsb04-09.html

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
names CAN-2004-0928 to these issues. This is a candidate for inclusion
in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

07/08/2004   Initial vendor notification
07/08/2004   iDEFENSE clients notified
07/09/2004   Initial vendor response
10/05/2004   Public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

Get paid for vulnerability research
http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright (c) 2004 iDEFENSE, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
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There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
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