CVE-2023-48515 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 enables organizations to create, manage, and deliver personalized web content across multiple channels. The platform serves as a central hub for digital marketing activities and content management, making it a critical component in enterprise digital infrastructure. When vulnerabilities exist within such systems, they can pose significant risks to organizational security and user privacy due to the platform's widespread use in corporate environments.
The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the form processing components. This flaw specifically affects form fields that accept user input, where malicious scripts can be persistently stored and later executed when legitimate users interact with the affected pages. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which represents one of the most prevalent web application security weaknesses identified in the CWE database. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored in the application's database or content management system, making it persistent across user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to user sessions and sensitive data. Low-privileged attackers who can submit content through forms may leverage this vulnerability to escalate their access rights or perform unauthorized actions within the application. When victims browse to pages containing the maliciously injected scripts, their browsers execute the JavaScript code within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects the integrity of user data and the trust relationship between users and the application, as users may unknowingly execute malicious code while performing routine browsing activities.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability within Adobe Experience Manager environments. Immediate remediation involves upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.19 or later, which contain patches specifically designed to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all form fields and user input components, ensuring that all submitted content undergoes proper sanitization before being stored or displayed. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, demonstrating how attackers can leverage stored XSS to execute malicious scripts in user browsers. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader application ecosystem and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.