CVE-2023-48517 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
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 enterprise organizations. The platform handles sensitive user data through various form interfaces and content submission mechanisms. This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the form processing functionality of AEM versions 6.5.18 and earlier, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets form fields where user input is stored and subsequently rendered without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can inject malicious javascript code into these vulnerable fields, which then executes whenever legitimate users view the affected pages containing the stored content. This creates a dangerous scenario where even low-privileged attackers can compromise the security of the entire platform and its users.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient input validation and output encoding processes within AEM's form handling components. When users submit data through forms, the system stores this information in its repository without properly sanitizing potentially malicious content. The stored data is then rendered in subsequent page views without appropriate context-aware encoding, allowing the injected javascript to execute in the victim's browser context. This represents a classic stored XSS vulnerability pattern where the malicious payload is permanently stored on the server and executed during normal page rendering operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector leverages the platform's legitimate content delivery mechanisms to propagate malicious code, making detection and prevention more challenging for security teams.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities. Compromised users may experience session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious sites. The low privilege requirement means that even users with basic access rights can potentially compromise the entire system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where access controls may be less stringent. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access restricted content, or manipulate user sessions. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack remains active until the malicious content is removed from the system, providing attackers with extended periods of access and control. This vulnerability also impacts the platform's integrity and trustworthiness, potentially affecting business operations and customer confidence.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.19 or later, which contain the necessary patches for this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms at multiple layers of the application stack. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious script patterns in form submissions. Regular security scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom components. The implementation of content security policies can provide additional protection against script execution. Organizations should also establish proper access controls and monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized form modifications. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector under the T1531 technique for "Account Access Removal" and T1071.1001 for "Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols", highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures across multiple attack surface areas.