CVE-2023-48510 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-2023-48510, which manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting versions 6.5.18 and earlier. This vulnerability operates within the web application's client-side execution environment where malicious scripts can be injected into the Document Object Model through user-supplied input parameters. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the application's DOM structure in ways that allow arbitrary JavaScript execution, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within Adobe Experience Manager's handling of URL parameters and user-provided data. When a victim visits a specially crafted URL containing malicious script payloads, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into the DOM structure. This allows the malicious JavaScript to execute within the victim's browser context, potentially accessing sensitive session cookies, modifying page content, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates entirely on the client-side, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional server-side security controls and directly target end-user browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-48510 extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks that align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1059.1001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Low-privileged attackers can leverage this vulnerability to conduct phishing campaigns where victims are tricked into visiting malicious URLs that execute scripts to steal session tokens, capture keystrokes, or perform unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where Adobe Experience Manager serves as a critical content management platform, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate content and user data.
Organizations utilizing affected Adobe Experience Manager versions must implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, proper output encoding, and comprehensive security monitoring. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and organizations should follow security best practices such as implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper input sanitization techniques, and conducting regular security assessments. Additionally, users should be educated about the dangers of visiting untrusted URLs and the importance of verifying website authenticity before engaging with content. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of Adobe Experience Manager, as this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that cannot be fully remediated through configuration changes alone.