CVE-2023-48479 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2024
Adobe Experience Manager presents a significant security weakness through CVE-2023-48479 which manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting versions 6.5.18 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user input through URL parameters that are processed directly within the browser's Document Object Model without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser context, leveraging the trust relationship between the user and the legitimate AEM application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within AEM's client-side processing logic. When users navigate to specifically crafted URLs containing malicious script payloads, the application fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before they are rendered in the DOM. This creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the application's behavior through malicious URL parameters that bypass server-side security controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates entirely within the browser context, making it difficult to detect through traditional network-based security measures and allowing for sophisticated attack vectors that can persist across user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the victim's browser environment. Low-privileged attackers can potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even escalate their privileges within the application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it only necessitates the victim visiting a malicious URL, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when users are tricked into clicking compromised links within emails or web applications. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data exfiltration.
Organizations utilizing affected AEM versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official Adobe patches and updates to address this vulnerability. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and user behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics including spearphishing with a malicious attachment or link. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security assessments of web applications, and user education programs to reduce the attack surface and mitigate potential exploitation. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the integrity of the user experience.