CVE-2023-48452 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2023
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier are affected by a Cross-site Scripting (DOM-based 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2024
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier contain a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability classified as DOM-based XSS that poses significant risks to web application security. This vulnerability exists within the application's handling of user input and dynamic content rendering processes, specifically when processing URLs that reference vulnerable pages within the AEM interface. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser context, effectively bypassing traditional server-side input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of input parameters within the DOM manipulation functions, creating an attack surface where crafted URLs can trigger XSS payloads without requiring server-side code execution. This issue affects the core functionality of AEM's content management and user interface components, particularly when processing parameters passed through URL query strings or fragment identifiers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive cookies, and perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. When a victim visits a maliciously crafted URL, the injected JavaScript code executes within the victim's browser session, potentially leading to account takeover, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation within the AEM environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious link, making it susceptible to phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to AEM systems, especially in environments where administrators frequently interact with web-based management interfaces. The DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that the attack vector operates entirely within the browser context, making it difficult to detect through traditional network-based security controls.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected AEM instances to versions 6.5.19 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the XSS implementation. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the AEM application, particularly within URL parameter handling and DOM manipulation functions. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and content security policies should be configured to detect and block suspicious JavaScript payloads, though these measures provide only partial protection given the nature of DOM-based attacks. Access controls and user privilege management should be reviewed to ensure that low-privileged users cannot create malicious content that could be exploited through this vulnerability. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and developers should emphasize the importance of validating all user-supplied input and understanding the implications of DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks, demonstrating how such vulnerabilities enable adversaries to execute malicious code within user browsers and maintain persistent access to target systems through session hijacking and privilege escalation techniques.