CVE-2023-38203 Adobe ColdFusion Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Exploited in the wild Critical 9.8 Published 20 Jul 2023 Updated 21 Oct 2025

Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary code on Adobe ColdFusion servers via unsafe deserialization of untrusted data.

Exploited in the wild: Since 8 Jan 2024
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2023-38203?

CVE-2023-38203 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Adobe Coldfusion, published on 20 Jul 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Adobe ColdFusion versions 2018u17 (and earlier), 2021u7 (and earlier) and 2023u1 (and earlier) are affected by a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability that could result in Arbitrary code execution. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction.

Weakness: CWE-502

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-38203?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Adobe Coldfusion.

How do I fix CVE-2023-38203?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-38203 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 29 Jan 2024.

Upgrade, and only deserialise data from trusted sources or with an allow-list of types. More about Unsafe deserialization.

Is CVE-2023-38203 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2023-38203 in the wild since at least 8 Jan 2024, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code: 1 Nuclei template.

All Adobe Coldfusion vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-4vp5-7p37-q66w.