CVE-2023-48488 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 represents a comprehensive content management platform widely deployed across enterprise environments for digital experience management. The vulnerability in question manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting flaw that exists within the platform's web interface components. This particular vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 6.5.18, indicating a significant attack surface that impacts numerous organizations relying on this content management solution. The nature of DOM-based XSS distinguishes this vulnerability from traditional reflected or stored XSS variants, as it operates entirely within the client-side document object model without requiring server-side processing or data persistence. The attack vector specifically requires social engineering to manipulate a victim into visiting a maliciously crafted URL that references a vulnerable page within the AEM interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a URL containing malicious JavaScript payload that gets executed within the victim's browser context upon navigation to the affected page. The DOM-based nature means that the malicious code is injected directly into the page's DOM structure through manipulated input parameters or URL fragments that are processed by client-side JavaScript functions. This execution context allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary commands within the victim's browser environment. The low-privileged nature of the attacker suggests that the vulnerability does not require elevated permissions to exploit, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where user access controls may be insufficient. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by AEM's widespread use in corporate web applications where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive data.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation within enterprise networks. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive content management systems, manipulate published content, or potentially escalate privileges through session hijacking. Organizations using AEM for critical digital experiences face heightened risk since attackers could compromise the integrity of published websites or access confidential information stored within the CMS. The vulnerability's presence in versions 6.5.18 and earlier indicates a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple releases, suggesting that organizations may have been exposed for extended periods without awareness. This exposure period increases the likelihood of successful exploitation attempts and makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to leverage enterprise content management systems for broader attacks.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected AEM versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive URL filtering and validation mechanisms to prevent exploitation through crafted URLs, particularly within corporate environments where user behavior may be manipulated through phishing campaigns. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerable DOM elements. Regular security assessments of AEM implementations should include thorough testing of URL parameter handling and client-side script execution to identify similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of Content Security Policies can help prevent unauthorized script execution even if exploitation attempts occur. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce susceptibility to social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly relevant to security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls related to input validation and secure coding practices, emphasizing the need for robust client-side security controls in web applications.