CVE-2018-4929 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.2 and earlier have an exploitable stored cross-site scripting vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to sensitive information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2020
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.2 and earlier contain a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on this content management platform. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS flaw where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed when users access affected pages. The vulnerability exists within the web application's input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through user input fields that are subsequently stored in the database and rendered to other users without proper sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious script content through forms or input fields within the AEM interface, which are then stored in the system's database. When other users view the affected content or interact with the stored data, the malicious script executes in their browsers, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information. This stored nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as the malicious code persists and affects multiple users over time rather than requiring repeated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the system by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data that should remain protected within the application's secure boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the affected environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, perform privilege escalation, or redirect users to malicious sites that can harvest additional credentials or deploy malware. The potential for data exfiltration increases significantly when attackers can execute scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially accessing restricted content or administrative functions. Organizations using affected AEM versions face risks to their digital assets, customer data, and overall security posture, particularly in environments where the platform handles sensitive information or serves as a central component of digital marketing infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the stored XSS vulnerability through improved input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter malicious traffic targeting AEM interfaces, while strict input validation should be enforced at all user-facing entry points. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities within the AEM environment, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are maintained. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and following the ATT&CK framework's recommendations for preventing and detecting web application attacks through continuous monitoring and threat intelligence integration.