CVE-2023-48468 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 weakness through CVE-2023-48468, which manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting versions 6.5.18 and earlier. This flaw resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within the browser environment, specifically when processing URLs that reference vulnerable pages. The vulnerability operates at the DOM level rather than traditional server-side input validation, making it particularly insidious as it leverages the browser's Document Object Model to inject malicious scripts. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince a victim to navigate to a specially crafted URL that triggers the XSS payload within the victim's browser context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious actor crafts a URL containing crafted input parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable AEM application, gets executed as JavaScript code within the victim's browser session. This DOM-based XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters within the client-side JavaScript code that processes URL fragments or query strings. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and more precisely with CWE-938 which deals with the weakness of applications that fail to properly sanitize user input before using it in DOM operations. The vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution and T1531 for lateral movement through compromised user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it allows attackers to manipulate the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious content that could persist across multiple page visits. The low-privileged nature of the attacker requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by individuals with minimal access rights to the system, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive content. This vulnerability undermines the security model of the application by allowing arbitrary code execution within the context of authenticated users, creating a pathway for persistent threats and data exfiltration.
Organizations utilizing affected Adobe Experience Manager versions should immediately implement comprehensive mitigations to protect their systems. The primary defense mechanism involves implementing robust input validation and sanitization procedures that filter all user-supplied data before it is processed within the DOM. This includes implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution and employing proper encoding techniques for all URL parameters and query strings. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. The mitigation strategy should also include user education to recognize potentially malicious URLs and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of compromised user accounts. Regular patching and updating of Adobe Experience Manager installations to versions that address this vulnerability is essential for maintaining system integrity and preventing exploitation attempts.