CVE-2019-8079 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.4, 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, and 6.0 have a stored cross site scripting vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to sensitive information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2019
Adobe Experience Manager suffers from a stored cross site scripting vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 6.4, 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, and 6.0. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into content that gets stored on the server and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the AEM content management system, particularly when processing user-supplied data in various content creation and editing interfaces. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get stored in the system and then executed when other users view the affected content. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script persists in the system and can affect multiple users over time rather than requiring a one-time exploitation. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information including user credentials, session tokens, and other confidential data. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers could potentially perform actions on behalf of users, escalate privileges, or redirect victims to malicious sites. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with a malicious attachment or link, as the stored XSS could be leveraged to deliver additional payloads or establish persistent access. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where AEM is used for content management and collaboration, as it could provide attackers with access to sensitive corporate information. Organizations using these affected AEM versions face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their content management systems. The vulnerability represents a critical security gap that requires immediate attention and remediation to prevent exploitation by threat actors seeking to compromise enterprise web applications.
The technical implementation of this stored XSS vulnerability occurs when user input is not properly sanitized before being stored in the AEM database or content repository. This allows malicious scripts to be embedded within content items, configuration parameters, or user-generated content that gets processed and rendered in web interfaces. The vulnerability exists across multiple AEM versions, indicating a systemic issue in the platform's security architecture rather than a one-off bug. When legitimate users access content containing the malicious scripts, their browsers execute the injected code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration. The persistent nature of stored XSS makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous because once exploited, the malicious code continues to affect users until the stored content is removed or the vulnerability is patched. Security researchers have identified that the flaw commonly occurs in areas where AEM handles user input for rich text editing, file uploads, or configuration settings. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where AEM is integrated with other enterprise systems, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to interconnected applications and databases. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments to mitigate the risk until official patches are applied. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content is extensively processed and rendered.
Organizations utilizing affected Adobe Experience Manager versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by Adobe. The vulnerability represents a high-severity risk that could enable attackers to establish persistent access to enterprise web applications and extract sensitive data. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected AEM versions within their infrastructure and implement mitigation strategies. The stored XSS vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to potentially escalate privileges and access additional system resources beyond the initial compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious content uploads, and establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing XSS vulnerabilities in content management systems. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data exposure to include potential regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage from successful attacks. Security professionals should monitor threat intelligence feeds for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability and ensure that all content management systems receive regular security updates. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the risks associated with running unsupported software versions in enterprise environments. Given the widespread use of Adobe Experience Manager in enterprise content management, this vulnerability represents a significant threat vector that requires immediate attention from security teams and IT administrators across affected organizations.