CVE-2023-48464 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 cross-site scripting vulnerability that falls under the CWE-79 category of vulnerable input handling. This DOM-based XSS flaw represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into web pages viewed by legitimate users. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the application processes user input within the DOM environment, creating an attack surface where malicious scripts can execute without requiring server-side processing. The flaw is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple URL manipulation, making it accessible to attackers with minimal privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied parameters within the application's client-side code. When a victim visits a specially crafted URL containing malicious script payloads, the DOM parser processes these inputs without proper validation or encoding, allowing the injected JavaScript to execute in the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can manipulate the application's behavior, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The attack requires minimal privileges as the exploitation occurs through user interaction with a malicious link rather than through direct system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables a range of sophisticated attacks within the context of the victim's session. An attacker could potentially harvest sensitive data, modify application functionality, or establish persistent backdoors through the compromised browser session. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the application's user data and session management. Organizations running affected Adobe Experience Manager installations face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive content, and possible regulatory compliance violations. The attack vector's simplicity makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently click on links from untrusted sources or where social engineering attacks are common.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of Adobe Experience Manager to versions 6.5.19 or later where the XSS flaw has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly focusing on DOM-based input handling. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure. Network monitoring and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Security awareness training for users should emphasize the dangers of clicking on suspicious links, while privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for spearphishing campaigns, highlighting the multi-layered approach required for comprehensive protection.