CVE-2023-48530 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 versions 6.5.18 and earlier contain a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant threat to web application security. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application. The flaw exists within the form handling mechanisms of the AEM platform, specifically in how the system processes and stores user input from form fields. Attackers with low privileges can exploit this weakness to inject malicious JavaScript code into form fields that are subsequently stored on the server. When other users navigate to pages containing these vulnerable fields, their browsers execute the injected scripts, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple victims over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within AEM's form processing pipeline. When user data is submitted through forms, the system fails to properly sanitize or encode the input before storing it in the database or content repository. This allows attackers to embed malicious JavaScript payloads that remain dormant until accessed by other users. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered repeatedly without requiring additional exploitation efforts. The vulnerability specifically impacts form fields that are rendered in web pages, creating an attack surface where legitimate user interactions become vectors for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the AEM environment. Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform actions such as stealing user sessions, redirecting victims to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The low privilege requirement makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited by individuals who should not have elevated access rights. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability facilitates initial access and can potentially lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the application. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that attackers can maintain access over extended periods, making it easier to conduct reconnaissance or deploy additional malicious payloads.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.19 or later, which contain patches specifically designed to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level can provide defense-in-depth protection. Web Application Firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious script patterns in form submissions. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all form fields and user input points within AEM to identify potential injection points. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be performed to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security training for developers to ensure that input sanitization and output encoding are consistently applied throughout the application lifecycle.