CVE-2023-48512 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2023
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier are affected by a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that could be abused by a low-privileged attacker to inject malicious scripts into vulnerable form fields. Malicious JavaScript may be executed in a victim’s browser when they browse to the page containing the vulnerable field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2024
Adobe Experience Manager represents a comprehensive digital experience platform that serves as a content management system for enterprises worldwide. The platform's architecture includes various form handling mechanisms that process user inputs through web interfaces. This particular vulnerability resides within the form field processing functionality where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The stored XSS flaw emerges from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the AEM forms component, allowing malicious scripts to persist in the system's database and execute whenever the compromised form data is accessed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a low-privileged attacker to submit malicious JavaScript code through accessible form fields that are subsequently stored in the AEM database. This stored payload remains dormant until a victim accesses the page containing the vulnerable field, at which point the malicious script executes within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS issue under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack vector leverages the platform's form processing capabilities where user inputs are directly embedded into HTML output without proper sanitization, creating an environment where attacker-controlled code can be executed in the context of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft payloads that steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even inject additional malicious code to escalate privileges within the AEM environment. The low privilege requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with minimal access rights who typically would not have the ability to compromise the system through more sophisticated attack vectors. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on Establishing Persistence through malicious scripts and T1566 which covers spearphishing with malicious attachments or links.
Organizations utilizing Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier face significant security risks from this vulnerability as it represents a critical entry point for attackers seeking to compromise their digital platforms. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, the payload remains active until manually removed or the system is patched. This creates an ongoing threat that can affect multiple users over extended periods, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where AEM is used for customer-facing applications and internal business processes. The attack surface is further expanded by the platform's widespread use in corporate digital experiences, making this vulnerability a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit enterprise web applications.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected AEM versions to address the root cause of the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before storage and rendering. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution within browser contexts. Regular security assessments of form handling components and input validation mechanisms should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and monitoring of form submission activities can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while user access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. The implementation of web application firewalls and regular security training for developers can further reduce the risk of successful exploitation attempts.