CVE-2023-48509 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 • 01/05/2024
Adobe Experience Manager presents a significant security weakness through CVE-2023-48509, 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 page contexts, specifically when processing URLs that reference vulnerable pages. The flaw operates at the DOM level rather than traditional server-side input validation, making it particularly insidious as it can bypass conventional security measures. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of parameters passed through URL fragments or query strings that are subsequently processed by JavaScript code within the browser environment. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser context, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the victim's browser session. A low-privileged attacker can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by a victim, trigger JavaScript payloads designed to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate application functionality. The DOM-based nature means that the attack vector operates entirely within the client-side environment, making detection more challenging for network-based security solutions. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting flaws as the injection of malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The attack scenario typically involves social engineering where an attacker persuades a victim to click on a malicious link, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive AEM content, user data theft, or privilege escalation within the application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can affect any user who visits the malicious page, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where AEM is used for content management and user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-48509 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening of the Adobe Experience Manager platform. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.5.19 or later, which contains patches specifically designed to address this DOM-based XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures at the application level can help prevent malicious content from being processed within the DOM. Web Application Firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded and executed. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on DOM-based XSS attack vectors, as these vulnerabilities often require specialized testing approaches. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1531 - Account Access Removal and T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the potential for attackers to establish persistent access through such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement user education programs to reduce the success rate of social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability, as the attack chain typically requires user interaction through malicious links. Regular monitoring of application logs for suspicious activity patterns and implementing proper session management practices can further reduce the attack surface and potential impact of exploitation attempts.