CVE-2016-7883 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Experience Manager version 6.2 has an input validation issue in create Launch wizard that could be used in cross-site scripting attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
Adobe Experience Manager version 6.2 contains a critical input validation vulnerability within its create Launch wizard functionality that enables attackers to execute cross-site scripting attacks through maliciously crafted user input. This vulnerability resides in the web application's input sanitization mechanisms, specifically failing to properly validate and sanitize user-provided data before processing it within the launch wizard interface. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response, which then executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers when they interact with the vulnerable component. The issue stems from inadequate filtering of special characters and script tags in user input fields, creating an environment where attackers can exploit the system's trust in user-provided data to inject malicious payloads. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, where the application fails to validate or sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions within the AEM environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and gain persistent access to the content management system, potentially compromising entire digital asset repositories and user authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the create Launch wizard component which is frequently used during content creation and deployment processes, making it a high-value target for exploitation. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that this vulnerability can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated users, depending on the specific implementation details. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can use the XSS payload to harvest user credentials or redirect victims to malicious sites. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where input validation is not consistently enforced across all user interaction points, particularly in administrative interfaces. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that can be addressed through proper sanitization and encoding of user data. The remediation strategy requires implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms that filter out potentially dangerous characters and patterns before processing user input, along with proper output encoding to prevent script execution in browser contexts. Organizations using Adobe Experience Manager 6.2 should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and content security policies to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar input validation flaws across the entire application stack.