CVE-2023-48466 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 presents a significant security risk through CVE-2023-48466, which manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting versions 6.5.18 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the web application's client-side processing mechanisms where user-supplied input is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into dynamic content generation. The flaw specifically impacts the way the application handles URL parameters and DOM manipulation, creating an attack surface where malicious scripts can be injected and executed without server-side validation. The vulnerability operates at the client-side DOM level, making it particularly insidious as it leverages the browser's native document object model to execute malicious code.
The exploitation scenario requires a low-privileged attacker to craft a malicious URL containing crafted JavaScript payloads and persuade a victim to click through to the vulnerable page. This social engineering component is crucial for successful exploitation, as the vulnerability cannot be triggered through automated means alone. When the victim's browser loads the malicious URL, the DOM-based XSS vulnerability allows the injected JavaScript to execute within the victim's browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, modifying page content, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data compromise.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution within user browsers. The operational impact of CVE-2023-48466 is substantial for organizations relying on Adobe Experience Manager for content management and digital experience delivery. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user sessions, potentially compromising sensitive content management systems and customer data. The vulnerability's presence in the widely-used AEM platform means that organizations may face widespread exposure across their digital properties, particularly those with extensive user interaction components or personalized content delivery features. Additionally, the DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that traditional server-side input validation may not prevent exploitation, requiring comprehensive client-side security measures.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.19 or later, which contain the necessary security patches addressing this vulnerability. Security teams should implement additional protective measures including comprehensive input validation at both client and server levels, content security policy enforcement, and regular security scanning of web applications. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious URL patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of user education and awareness programs to recognize potentially malicious links, as the attack vector relies heavily on social engineering. Regular security assessments of web applications should include thorough testing for DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities, particularly in frameworks and content management systems that heavily utilize client-side dynamic content generation.