ColdFusion XML Injection: Arbitrary FS Read (2025.2/2023.14/2021.20)
CVE-2025-49538 Published on July 8, 2025

ColdFusion | XML Injection (aka Blind XPath Injection) (CWE-91)
ColdFusion versions 2025.2, 2023.14, 2021.20 and earlier are affected by an XML Injection vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary file system read. An attacker can exploit this issue by injecting crafted XML or XPath queries to access unauthorized files or lead to denial of service. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction, and attack must have access to shared secrets.

Vendor Advisory NVD

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2025-49538 is exploitable with network access, and does not require authorization privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability is consided to have a high level of attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have a high impact on confidentiality, with no impact on integrity, and a high impact on availability.

Attack Vector:
NETWORK
Attack Complexity:
HIGH
Privileges Required:
NONE
User Interaction:
NONE
Scope:
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality Impact:
HIGH
Integrity Impact:
NONE
Availability Impact:
HIGH

Weakness Type

What is an aka Blind XPath Injection Vulnerability?

The software does not properly neutralize special elements that are used in XML, allowing attackers to modify the syntax, content, or commands of the XML before it is processed by an end system. Within XML, special elements could include reserved words or characters such as "<", ">", """, and "&", which could then be used to add new data or modify XML syntax.

CVE-2025-49538 has been classified to as an aka Blind XPath Injection vulnerability or weakness.


Products Associated with CVE-2025-49538

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Affected Versions

Adobe ColdFusion:

Exploit Probability

EPSS
0.11%
Percentile
28.56%

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.