CVE-2018-4875 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.1 and 6.0 are vulnerable to a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability related to the handling of malicious content embedded in image files uploaded to the DAM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.1 and 6.0 contain a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper handling of malicious content embedded within image files uploaded to the Digital Asset Management system. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to adequately sanitize or validate image metadata and content before processing user-supplied image uploads. The flaw exists in the DAM component's image handling logic where image file properties are directly incorporated into web responses without proper input validation or output encoding. Attackers can exploit this by uploading specially crafted image files containing malicious script code within their metadata or embedded content, which then gets reflected back to users when the image is displayed or processed within the AEM interface. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as a reflected cross-site scripting issue, where malicious payloads are executed in the context of a victim's browser session. This presents significant security implications as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack vector specifically targets the image upload and display functionality of AEM's DAM module, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently upload and view images within the application. The operational impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to bypass security controls and escalate privileges within the AEM environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Media) and T1059.007 (Scripting - JavaScript) as attackers can leverage the reflected XSS to deliver malicious payloads through compromised image files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the legitimate user interface context, making detection more difficult and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Organizations using AEM 6.1 and 6.0 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation for image uploads, output encoding of all user-supplied content, and regular security updates to address this reflected XSS vulnerability. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications, especially when handling user-supplied media files that may contain embedded metadata or content that could be improperly rendered within web responses.