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CVE-2003-1469 describes a narrow information disclosure in Macromedia ColdFusion MX: when Enable Robust Exception Information was enabled, a request to CFIDE/probe.cfm could trigger an error message that revealed the web server’s full filesystem path. The historical mitigation was to clear that setting on production systems.
What CVE-2003-1469 exposed
The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) classifies CVE-2003-1469 as CWE-200, exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The affected behavior was associated with ColdFusion MX’s default configuration, where Enable Robust Exception Information was selected. A direct request to CFIDE/probe.cfm could produce an error containing the server’s full path. NVD’s CVE-2003-1469 record identifies the endpoint and disclosure.
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A filesystem path can reveal internal directory names and installation layout. That information may help someone understand how a server is organized, but the documented issue is path disclosure. The available record does not establish arbitrary file access, code execution, or a broader compromise as consequences of this vulnerability.
Why robust exception details mattered
Detailed exception output is useful while diagnosing an application because it can expose where software is installed and where an error occurred. If the same detail is returned to unauthenticated visitors on a production site, it can disclose internal server information. In this case, the setting enabled the detailed exception behavior involved in the path disclosure.
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How to mitigate the issue
The historical guidance attributed to Macromedia was to clear Enable Robust Exception Information on production systems. The May 7, 2003 Information Security News report relays that recommendation. For any surviving ColdFusion MX installation, verify the actual configuration and exposure in that environment; the historical sources do not establish whether a particular server remains deployed, reachable, or vulnerable.
- Production: Disable robust exception details so errors shown to visitors do not reveal internal paths.
- Development: Diagnostic detail may help troubleshooting, but keep it within a controlled environment rather than exposing it publicly.
Severity and historical context
NVD lists the record as published December 31, 2003, and last modified April 15, 2026. Its recorded CVSS 2.0 score is 5.0 (Medium), with vector AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N. NVD does not display a CVSS 3.x assessment for this record, so the 5.0 figure should be understood as the older CVSS 2.0 rating, not a current CVSS 3 or 4 score. A 2004 Nessus appendix also lists a plugin for the ColdFusion MX path disclosure and references BugTraq ID 7443; its CVE field is blank. The Nessus plug-in appendix provides that historical listing.
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