Introduction
The ColdFusion Pen Test Preparation Checklist is a comprehensive, ready-to-use resource that helps developers, sysadmins, and Security teams prepare Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee servers for a successful penetration test. It merges secure Configuration guidance, CFML-specific checks, and operational runbooks into one practical package. By following the Checklist, you reduce test noise, tighten your attack surface, and give testers a clean, realistic starting point—saving time, lowering risk, and improving the quality of your Vulnerability assessment.
Overview
Preparing a ColdFusion stack for a pen test is more than toggling a few settings. It involves aligning application code, ColdFusion Administrator (CFADMIN) Configuration, web server connectors, SSL/TLS, logging, and supporting Infrastructure. This downloadable checklist provides a structured path to:
- Verify critical hardening steps (RDS disabled, CFADMIN locked, Sandbox Security, connector isolation).
- Ensure code-level controls are in place (CFQueryParam, input validation, CSRF tokens).
- Standardize pre-test evidence gathering (version and patch inventory, logging samples).
- Minimize false positives and avoid test delays due to misconfiguration.
The resource is equally useful as a ColdFusion Security checklist, a secure configuration baseline, and a quality gate for releases that touch CFML, CFScript, or Server settings.
What You’ll Get
- A polished PDF with the full ColdFusion Pen Test Preparation Checklist, with explanations and acceptance criteria.
- Editable spreadsheet (XLSX and CSV) for tracking progress, owners, and due dates.
- JSON and YAML templates for integrating checks into CI/CD pipelines or ticketing systems.
- CFML snippets and patterns, including secure query examples using CFQueryParam, CSRF token helpers, and robust File upload validation patterns.
- Sample policies and scripts:
- PowerShell and Bash examples for log export and permissions Audit.
- ModSecurity/WAF starter rules aligned to common CFML attack vectors.
- HTTP response header templates (HSTS, CSP, X-Content-Type-Options, Referrer-Policy).
- A one-page executive summary for stakeholders to understand scope, priority, and readiness.
Contents overview:
- PDF: 18–28 pages (depending on version)
- XLSX/CSV: 6 worksheets (Pre-test, App, Platform, Network, Evidence, Remediation)
- Code and templates: 20+ examples
How to Download and Use the Checklist
Download Steps
- Click the Download button or link provided on this page.
- Choose the full bundle (ZIP) to get PDF, spreadsheet, templates, and code examples together.
- Save and extract the ZIP in your project’s security-docs folder or central wiki repository.
Quick Start (5 Minutes)
- Open the PDF and read the first two pages (Scope and Pre-Flight).
- Open the XLSX and assign owners to each section.
- Import the JSON/YAML into your Project management tool (optional).
- Copy the CFML and header templates into a scratch directory for reference.
- Start with the “High Impact, Low Effort” tasks in the Pre-Test sheet.
Installation and Configuration Steps
Prepare Your ColdFusion Environment (Harden and Inventory)
- Confirm product and patch levels:
- Adobe ColdFusion: Record exact version and applied APSB/Update numbers.
- Lucee: Record engine version and applied security patches.
- Lock CFADMIN:
- Enforce strong password, restrict to specific IPs, enable multi-factor if available.
- Disable RDS in all non-dev contexts.
- Enable Sandbox security (where appropriate):
- Restrict file system, database, and network operations to known-safe paths and hosts.
- Validate connectors:
- For IIS/Apache-Tomcat AJP/HTTP connectors, ensure secret or address binding, disable HTTP TRACE, and confirm minimum TLS version.
- Configure secure Session management:
- Enable secure, HttpOnly, SameSite cookies; regenerate session IDs on Authentication.
- Turn on necessary logging:
- CF logs, web Server logs, Reverse proxy/WAF logs, and JVM GC/error logs.
Configure Supporting Tools
- Web application firewall (WAF):
- Import starter rules and add allow-lists for critical endpoints to reduce false positives.
- TLS/HTTPS:
- Enforce TLS 1.2+ or 1.3, strong ciphers, HSTS; deploy proper certificate chain.
- Headers:
- Apply CSP, X-Content-Type-Options, X-Frame-Options/Frame-Ancestors, Referrer-Policy, Permissions-Policy.
- Monitoring:
- Configure health endpoints, set rate limits, and ensure alerting is quiet but available during testing.
Import the Checklist into Your Workflow
- Spreadsheet:
- Assign owners, target dates, and evidence links; track status per item (Not Started/In Progress/Ready).
- CI/CD:
- Add JSON/YAML checks to gate deployments (e.g., block release if CFADMIN is exposed or CSP missing).
- Ticketing system:
- Auto-create tasks for gaps; attach evidence (screenshots, config files, version outputs).
Best practices
Before the Pen Test
- Freeze risky configuration changes at least 48 hours before the test.
- Provide testers with a scoped list of domains, IPs, and out-of-bounds functionality.
- Share evidence pack: version inventory, network diagram, WAF exemptions, and Maintenance windows.
- Back up CFADMIN settings, web server configs, and database snapshots.
During the Test
- Keep write access to logs and monitoring dashboards; verify rate limits don’t block test traffic disproportionately.
- Designate a rapid-response channel for triage; route non-critical alerts to email to reduce noise.
After the Test
- Triage findings by severity and exploitability, map to checklist items, and fix systemic issues first.
- Add new controls to CI/CD gates and the recurring monthly Audit.
Automation and CI/CD Integration (H5)
- Lint for CFQueryParam in inline queries; fail builds if missing in dynamic SQL.
- Verify HTTP headers on staging with curl or OWASP ZAP baseline scan in pipeline.
- Script currency checks for ColdFusion updates (Adobe APSB advisories) and Lucee patches.
Security Topics Covered
- CFADMIN and RDS: lock-down, IP restriction, MFA, disable unused endpoints.
- Sandbox Security: least privilege for filesystem, databases, and network sockets.
- Secure Coding in CFML/CFScript:
- Parameterized queries with CFQueryParam.
- Output encoding to prevent XSS.
- CSRF tokens for state-changing actions.
- Input validation and canonicalization.
- Safe file uploads (type/size/path checks), antivirus hooks.
- Deserialization safety and safe XML parsing (XXE mitigation).
- Authentication and Session Security:
- Session fixation prevention, secure cookies, SameSite.
- Brute-force throttling and account lockouts.
- Transport Security:
- TLS 1.2+/1.3, HSTS, OCSP stapling, strong ciphers.
- HTTP Response Headers:
- CSP, Referrer-Policy, Permissions-Policy, X-Content-Type-Options, Frame-Ancestors.
- Platform and Network:
- IIS/Apache hardening, connector security, firewall rules, Reverse proxy alignment.
- Logging and Monitoring:
- Centralized logs, correlation IDs, retention policies, time synchronization (NTP).
- Patch and Vulnerability Management:
- Adobe security bulletins (APSB), CVE monitoring, Lucee patches.
Supported Environments
Supported ColdFusion engines:
- Adobe ColdFusion 11, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023
- Lucee 5.x and 6.x
Web servers and connectors:
- IIS 8.5/10 with Tomcat connectors
- Apache HTTPD 2.4 with AJP/HTTP connectors
- Nginx reverse proxy patterns
Operating systems:
- Windows Server 2012 R2 – 2022
- Ubuntu LTS, RHEL/CentOS/AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux
- macOS for development references
Databases (examples for secure connection patterns):
- Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL/MariaDB, Oracle, PostgreSQL
Security tools referenced:
- Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Nmap, Nikto, testssl.sh, curl, jq, ModSecurity
Benefits and Use Cases
- Faster preparation: The structured checklist reduces prep time by 40–60% for most teams, aligning people, process, and platform.
- Fewer false positives: By standardizing headers, TLS, and logging, testers spend less time on noise and more time on exploitable issues.
- CFML-aware guidance: Unlike generic web checklists, this resource addresses ColdFusion-specific risks, such as RDS exposure and CFADMIN hardening.
- Compliance alignment: Map tasks to PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 expectations for secure configuration and change control.
- Repeatable audits: Use the spreadsheet and JSON/YAML to make security posture checks part of your monthly operational routine.
- New project Onboarding: Apply the checklist as a baseline for new ColdFusion applications before they reach production.
File Contents at a Glance
- PDF: Full checklist with detailed guidance and rationale.
- XLSX/CSV: Assignable tasks with status fields and evidence links.
- JSON/YAML: Machine-readable checks for CI/CD and ticket Automation.
- CFML Examples: Secure cfquery/CFQueryParam patterns, CSRF helpers, File upload validation.
- Config Templates: CSP and Security headers, WAF starter rules, log collection snippets.
- Scripts: PowerShell and Bash utilities for exporting configs and verifying permissions.
How to Get the Most Value
- Start with the “High Impact, Low Effort” items: disable RDS, secure CFADMIN, enable TLS and headers.
- Integrate the JSON/YAML with your pipelines so regressions are caught automatically.
- Treat the checklist as a living artifact: annotate with your environment-specific exceptions.
- Attach evidence (screenshots, config diffs, curl outputs) to each completed item for auditor-friendly traceability.
Key Takeaways
- A structured, CFML-aware checklist makes pen test prep faster and more effective.
- The bundle includes PDF, spreadsheets, templates, and code—ready for both humans and automation.
- Aligning app code, CFADMIN, web servers, and TLS/headers minimizes false positives and improves test quality.
- Ongoing use as a monthly audit baseline hardens your ColdFusion environment over time.
FAQ
How is this different from a generic OWASP checklist?
It includes OWASP-aligned controls but adds ColdFusion-specific items (RDS shutoff, CFADMIN isolation, sandbox security, connector hardening) and CFML code patterns such as CFQueryParam usage and CSRF helpers. It bridges platform configuration and CFML application-layer guidance.
Does it work for Lucee as well as Adobe ColdFusion?
Yes. Items specific to Adobe or Lucee are clearly marked. Most controls—headers, TLS, input validation, WAF, and logging—are engine-agnostic, with notes for engine-specific configuration.
Will I need downtime to implement these changes?
Most checklist items can be applied without downtime (headers, WAF rules, logging). Changes to connectors, TLS, or sandbox configuration may require brief Maintenance windows. The spreadsheet flags items likely to require coordination.
Can I use this in CI/CD?
Yes. The JSON/YAML files are designed for pipeline checks—e.g., verifying Security headers on staging, ensuring CFQueryParam in dynamic SQL, and blocking deployments when critical controls are missing.
How often is the checklist updated?
The resource is periodically updated to reflect new Adobe APSB advisories, Lucee releases, and emerging threats. Incorporate an update check into your quarterly security review to stay current.
