Adobe ColdFusion Unconfigured Password Restricted Directory Access Vulnerability (CVE-2013-0629)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTAdobe ColdFusion versions 9.0, 9.0.1, 9.0.2, and 10 where an administrator password is not configured
Unauthenticated remote attackers can bypass authentication and access restricted directories, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure and further system compromise
Apply the official Adobe security patch (APSB13-03), configure a strong administrator password, and restrict external access to the ColdFusion Administrator console (/CFIDE/administrator)
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Apply the official security updates recommended in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB13-03 or upgrade to a supported, secure version of ColdFusion. Below are commands to stop and start the ColdFusion service during patch application.
# Stop ColdFusion Service (Linux)
sudo /opt/coldfusion10/cfusion/bin/coldfusion stop
# Apply the official hotfix and restart the service
sudo /opt/coldfusion10/cfusion/bin/coldfusion start2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If patching cannot be performed immediately, restrict access to the /CFIDE directory at the web server level (e.g., Apache HTTPD) to prevent external access.
# Apache HTTPD configuration to restrict access to CFIDE
<Location /CFIDE/administrator>
Require ip 192.168.1.0/24
# Deny all other traffic
Require all denied
</Location>3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Inspect the ColdFusion web server access logs to identify unauthorized external requests attempting to access the /CFIDE directory.
# Search for external access attempts to the CFIDE directory in access logs
grep -E '/CFIDE/administrator' /var/log/httpd/access_log | grep -v '127.0.0.1'Block Exploits Instantly with Managed Virtual Patching Rules
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Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2013-0629) exists in Adobe ColdFusion when the administrator password is left unconfigured during or after the installation process. The ColdFusion application server fails to properly validate session states and restrict access to administrative resources when no password is set, allowing unauthorized directory traversal and access to restricted paths.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests targeting the ColdFusion Administrator directory (typically /CFIDE/administrator/). Because no password is set to protect these endpoints, the application grants access to restricted directories without requiring authentication. This vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild in January 2013 to harvest sensitive configuration files and system details.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As a CISA KEV-listed vulnerability, this flaw poses a severe threat to legacy and unpatched ColdFusion deployments. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read sensitive files, expose database credentials (DSNs), and gather intelligence on the internal network, which often serves as a stepping stone for full remote code execution (RCE) and complete infrastructure compromise.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
Adobe ColdFusion 9.0, 9.0.1, 9.0.2, and 10, when a password is not configured, allows attackers to access restricted directories via unspecified vectors, as exploited in the wild in January 2013.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2013-0629)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2013-0629 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2013-0629 is rated CVSS 7.5 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 65.8%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2013-0629?
Primary impacted vendors include adobe across coldfusion. Scope summary: Adobe ColdFusion 9.0, 9.0.1, 9.0.2, and 10 (when administrator password is not configured)
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2013-0629 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply the official Adobe security patch (APSB13-03), configure a strong administrator password, and restrict external access to the ColdFusion Administrator console (/CFIDE/administrator) Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
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