CVE-2023-48448 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2023
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier are affected by a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. If a low-privileged attacker is able to convince a victim to visit a URL referencing a vulnerable page, malicious JavaScript content may be executed within the context of the victim's browser.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2024
Adobe Experience Manager presents a critical reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in versions 6.5.18 and earlier, where malicious JavaScript code can be executed within the victim's browser context when they visit a specially crafted URL. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web interface, allowing attacker-controlled data to be reflected back to users without proper sanitization. The flaw exists in the way AEM processes and renders user-supplied parameters in HTTP responses, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts that execute in the victim's browser session. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server but rather delivered through a crafted URL that, when clicked by an unsuspecting user, triggers the execution of the injected code.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the AEM environment. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that exploit this weakness to steal user sessions, redirect victims to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The low privilege requirement for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it does not require administrative access or elevated permissions to be effective. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web-based attacks. The vulnerability affects the application's core web interface components where user input is processed and displayed without adequate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-48448 extends to organizations using Adobe Experience Manager for content management and digital experience delivery, as successful exploitation can compromise the entire web application ecosystem. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive content, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of digital services. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering to convince victims to click malicious links, making it particularly challenging to defend against through traditional network security measures. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their web application security posture, as reflected XSS attacks often serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects not only the end-user experience but also the integrity of the content management system itself, potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete content, manipulate user permissions, or establish persistent access points within the AEM environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Adobe Experience Manager installations to versions 6.5.19 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Network security controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by detecting and blocking malicious payloads before they reach vulnerable applications. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's attack surface. The implementation of content security policies and proper HTTP headers can further reduce the impact of successful XSS exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for users should emphasize the importance of verifying URLs before clicking, particularly when received through email or other communication channels, as this vulnerability relies heavily on social engineering to achieve successful exploitation.