CVE-2023-48456 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 serves as a comprehensive content management platform that enables organizations to create, manage, and deliver digital experiences across multiple channels. The platform's architecture includes various administrative interfaces and content rendering components that process user input through web forms and URL parameters. This particular vulnerability resides within the platform's client-side processing mechanisms, specifically affecting the DOM-based cross-site scripting functionality that handles user-supplied data within the browser environment. The vulnerability impacts versions 6.5.18 and earlier, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple releases of the software. The affected components typically process URL parameters and form data through JavaScript functions that fail to properly sanitize or escape user-provided content before incorporating it into the document object model.
The technical flaw manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability where malicious input can be injected through URL parameters or form fields that are subsequently processed by client-side JavaScript code. When a user visits a specially crafted URL containing malicious script content, the vulnerable Adobe Experience Manager application fails to adequately validate or escape the input before executing it within the browser context. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser session, potentially compromising the user's session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive information. The vulnerability is classified as DOM-based XSS because the attack vector operates entirely within the client-side DOM manipulation rather than relying on server-side output handling. The flaw typically occurs when JavaScript functions like document.write, innerHTML, or eval process untrusted input without proper sanitization, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the DOM structure and execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to user sessions and sensitive data within the Adobe Experience Manager environment. Low-privileged attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, or manipulate the user interface to redirect victims to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who may not have direct administrative access to the system. Once successfully exploited, the malicious JavaScript can access the user's session context, potentially enabling attackers to perform actions within the application as the victim. The impact is further amplified when considering that Adobe Experience Manager administrators often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive content management systems, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizations relying on the platform. The vulnerability can also be used to establish persistent attack vectors or serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.5.19 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious URL patterns and implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened at both the application and network level to sanitize URL parameters and form data before processing. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues within the Adobe Experience Manager environment and related web applications. Additionally, implementing content security policies and disabling unnecessary JavaScript functionality can reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1531, which covers "Use of Unsecured Credentials" through session manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to recognize phishing attempts that may leverage this vulnerability, as social engineering remains a common attack vector for exploiting such client-side vulnerabilities. Regular security monitoring and incident response procedures should be established to quickly identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts.