Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-29300 is a critical Adobe ColdFusion flaw that can let an unauthenticated attacker execute code without user interaction. Because CISA lists it in KEV, organizations should treat exposed ColdFusion systems as urgent remediation targets.
Executive priority
Treat this as an immediate patch-and-exposure-reduction item. The combination of unauthenticated remote code execution, critical CVSS, and KEV listing creates material business risk for any affected reachable ColdFusion server.
Technical view
The issue is deserialization of untrusted data in Adobe ColdFusion 2018 Update 16 and earlier, 2021 Update 6 and earlier, and 2023.0.0.330468 and earlier. The CVSS 3.1 score is 9.8, network exploitable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where affected ColdFusion servers are internet-accessible or reachable by untrusted networks. The bundle does not identify specific modules, endpoints, configurations, or compensating controls.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV inclusion supports active exploitation. The source bundle does not provide exploit mechanics, observed campaign details, or indicators of compromise. The vulnerability requires no user interaction and no privileges, raising urgency for externally reachable systems.
Researcher notes
Evidence is strong for affected versions, CWE-502 classification, severity, and KEV status. Evidence is incomplete on exploit chains, specific vulnerable surfaces, indicators, and exact fixed build details within the supplied bundle, so validation should anchor on Adobe’s advisory.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Adobe guidance from APSB23-40 for all affected ColdFusion versions.
- Prioritize internet-facing ColdFusion servers before internal-only systems.
- Restrict untrusted network access until vendor remediation is confirmed.
- Inventory ColdFusion 2018, 2021, and 2023 deployments.
- Check CISA KEV due-date expectations for remediation governance.
Validation and detection
- Confirm exact ColdFusion version and update level on each server.
- Verify whether any affected servers are internet-accessible.
- Confirm vendor remediation from APSB23-40 is installed.
- Review logs for suspicious activity around ColdFusion services.
- Track remediation evidence against CISA KEV status.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-502: Code execution behavior lookup
Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-29300 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/coldfusion/apsb23-40.htmlCVE reference · vendor-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-29300CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Deserialization of Untrusted Data
Deserialization of Untrusted Data represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.