Luiz Felipe Scolari's men found themselves two goals ahead with 10 minutes remaining in Fortaleza, but a Colombian penalty left nerves wrangling until they saw out the contest 2-1 to progress through.
The tournament hosts were ahead with just seven minutes on the clock courtesy of captain Thiago Silva, who bundled the ball home at the back post unmarked from Neymar's corner.
Colombia nearly hit an instant reply through Juan Cuadrado's drilled effort, but a deflection off Silva on the way through ensured that the strike did not trouble Julio Cesar.
Three chances in short succession followed for Brazil as Hulk's cut-back was just about dealt with after he initially beat a man inside the area, before seeing another shot kept out by David Ospina who did well to get up to keep out the rebound.
Ospina was called into action again on the 28-minute mark to deny Hulk once more, as the much-maligned wideman latched on to Marcelo's cut-back inside the area before getting a shot away.
Neymar tried his luck from a free kick just before the interval, only for his attempt to fly high of the target with Ospina rooted to the spot.
Colombia went in search of an equaliser in the opening stages of the second half, but it took until the hour mark for their first opportunity as James Rodriguez picked out Fredy Guardin who sliced his volley over the bar following a promising move.
The Selecao did manage to double their lead 10 minutes later, however, with David Luiz finding the back of the net from all of 30 yards from a sublime free kick to make it 2-0.
Yet home celebrations were soon cut short with 10 minutes remaining as referee Carlos Velasco pointed to the spot when Cesar brought Carlos Bacca down inside the box. Rodriguez sent the keeper the wrong way to become the first player in World Cup history to score in the first six games of the showpiece event.
Brazilian star man Neymar was stretchered off with two minutes of normal time remaining to dampen spirits, while Colombia continued to push in search of a leveller, but Scolari's side saw out the final minutes to set up a meeting with Germany in the next round.
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