CVE-2023-48487 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-2023-48487, 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-supplied input in web pages, creating an attack surface where malicious scripts can be injected and executed in the victim's browser context. The flaw specifically exploits how the application processes DOM elements and user-provided parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate the document object model in ways that bypass traditional input validation mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of input parameters within the AEM interface, particularly when processing URLs that contain user-controllable data. When a victim navigates to a maliciously crafted URL containing XSS payloads, the vulnerable application fails to properly escape or validate the input before rendering it within the browser's DOM structure. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled JavaScript code can execute with the privileges and permissions of the authenticated user, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the application environment. The vulnerability operates at the DOM level rather than traditional server-side input handling, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through conventional security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-48487 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform actions that appear to originate from legitimate users within the AEM system. Low-privileged attackers who can successfully convince victims to visit malicious URLs gain the ability to manipulate content, access restricted areas, or steal session cookies and other sensitive information. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on AEM for content management and digital experience delivery, as it can be exploited to compromise the integrity of web applications and potentially lead to broader system compromise. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince victims to click malicious links, but once executed, the consequences can be severe for organizations depending on AEM for their digital presence.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected AEM installations to versions that address the XSS flaw. Security measures should include enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms, particularly for DOM-based operations and URL parameter handling. The implementation of Content Security Policies (CSP) can provide additional protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed within the browser context. Regular security testing and code reviews should focus on identifying similar DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities within application interfaces, particularly in areas where user input is processed and rendered without proper sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and block suspicious URL patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. This remediation approach aligns with security frameworks such as OWASP Top 10 and follows the ATT&CK framework's guidance for preventing and detecting client-side exploitation techniques. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a critical concern for organizations maintaining web applications that process user input in browser environments.