CVE-2016-7884 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.1 and earlier have an input validation issue in the DAM create assets that could be used in cross-site scripting attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2022
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.1 and earlier contain a critical input validation vulnerability within the Digital Asset Management system that enables cross-site scripting attacks through improper sanitization of user-supplied data. This flaw resides in the asset creation functionality where the system fails to adequately validate and sanitize input parameters before processing user uploads, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response. The vulnerability manifests when users upload digital assets through the DAM interface, as the system does not properly filter or escape special characters in file names, metadata, or other input fields that are subsequently rendered in web pages without proper context-aware escaping.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the patterns outlined in CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. Attackers can craft malicious file names or metadata containing script payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers when the system displays asset information in web interfaces. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where AEM serves as a content management platform for sensitive corporate assets. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation through browser-based attacks that can leverage the victim's authenticated privileges.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, as it can lead to unauthorized access to digital assets, compromise of user sessions, and potential data exfiltration from corporate networks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including file upload manipulation, metadata injection, and parameter tampering within the DAM module. The attack surface is particularly broad given that AEM is commonly used for enterprise content management, digital asset management, and web publishing, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking persistent access to organizational resources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.2 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should configure proper input sanitization at multiple layers including web application firewalls, application-level filters, and regular security code reviews to prevent similar issues. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of all user input handling mechanisms within the DAM module and implementation of context-aware output encoding as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses that could enable similar cross-site scripting attacks across the enterprise application landscape.