Originally Posted: February 4, 1999
Last Update: May 19, 1999

Summary
ColdFusion Server 4.0 includes some example applications and sample code that expose security issues. Allaire recommends that customers install the ColdFusion 4.0.1 Update, available for download from the Allaire site since April 29, 1999, which resolves the issues in ColdFusion 4.0. In addition, the example applications included with ColdFusion 2.x and 3.x also expose potential security vulnerabilities. These issues are not addressed by the 4.0.1 Update, and the 2.x or 3.x example applications should be removed or secured. In general, Allaire recommends that customers avoid installing documentation and sample applications (CFDOCS directory) on production machines, and restrict access to the CFDOCS directory where it is installed on workstations.

Issue
ColdFusion Server 4.0 ships with several example applications and more than 200 sample code files. These files are installed with documentation under the CFDOCS directory. There are basically three sets of security issues that have been identified with the example applications and sample code.

First, one of the features of the example applications is a page that displays the source code of the examples in a browser. This page exposes the ability to view source code in other files on the server. Second, the sample code, sometimes referred to as "runnable code snippets," that are included as references in the electronic version of the CFML Language Reference expose a number of security issues including the ability to view files and directory information, make http calls from a machine, and launch denial-of-service attacks. Third, the Syntax Checker, which is provided to verify that existing CFML code will run on version 4.0, can be used remotely to initiate a denial-of-service attack by fully occupying the ColdFusion service with unnecessary file processing.

ColdFusion Server 2.x and 3.x shipped with several example applications that have been identified as potential security problems. (Note: Because these applications are not automatically removed by the 4.x installation, they may pose a threat to customers who upgraded from the 2.x and 3.x releases to version 4.0 or 4.0.1 of ColdFusion Server.) The risks exposed include the ability to spoof the local host IP (127.0.0.1) thereby circumventing security that restricts access based on local host IP, the ability upload executable files (using the spoofed IP address), and the ability to set up mailing lists with a mailing list example application.

• ColdFusion Server 2.x, 3.x, 4.0 (all editions)

What Allaire is Doing
Allaire has addressed the ColdFusion 4.0 issues in the ColdFusion 4.0.1 maintenance release, available for download from the Allaire site since April 29, 1999.

Download - ColdFusion 4.0.1 maintenance release

In general, Allaire is recommending that customers remove all example applications and documentation (the entire CFDOCS directory) from production servers and restrict access to CFDOCS on developer workstations.

What Customers Should Do
Customers who are only running ColdFusion 4.0 should install the ColdFusion 4.0.1 maintenance release on all of their installations of ColdFusion Server 4.0. Customers running other versions of ColdFusion or customers who have upgraded to 4.0 or 4.0.1 should completely remove the CFDOCS directory on production servers and restrict access to it on developer workstations.

Furthermore, we recommend that customers remove all documentation, sample code, example applications, and tutorials from production servers. The examples that are installed with ColdFusion are installed in the CFDOCS directory, which is normally installed in the root of the Web server directory. This directory should not be installed on production servers and access to the CFDOCS directory should be restricted on developer workstations. As a general security best practice, sample code and example applications should not be installed on production servers.

Revisions
February 4, 1999 – Bulletin first released.
April 30, 1999 – Bulletin updated to include notice of 4.0.1 fix.
May 19, 1999 – Bulletin updated to include 2.x and 3.x issues.

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@macromedia.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.