CVE-2023-48532 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 represents a comprehensive digital experience platform that serves as a cornerstone for enterprise content management and digital marketing operations. The platform's architecture includes multiple administrative interfaces and content management capabilities that handle user interactions through web-based interfaces. When examining the specific vulnerability present in versions 6.5.18 and earlier, the security implications extend beyond typical web application flaws due to AEM's privileged position within enterprise environments. The platform's user interface components and administrative panels create numerous entry points where user-supplied input can be processed and rendered, making it susceptible to various injection attacks including cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
The technical flaw in CVE-2023-48532 manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability within the Adobe Experience Manager framework. This particular vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-provided input that flows through the Document Object Model, allowing malicious JavaScript code to be executed in the victim's browser context. Unlike traditional XSS vulnerabilities that occur in server-side rendered content, DOM-based XSS operates entirely within the client-side environment where the malicious script is injected into the DOM structure itself. The vulnerability specifically affects pages that handle URL parameters or other client-side input mechanisms without adequate validation or sanitization, creating an attack surface where an attacker can craft malicious URLs that exploit this weakness when accessed by authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the user's browser session and potentially access sensitive administrative functions. Low-privileged attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, or redirect users to malicious sites that can further compromise the enterprise environment. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince victims to visit specifically crafted URLs, but once executed, the consequences can be severe given that AEM administrators often have elevated privileges within the platform. The vulnerability particularly threatens enterprise environments where AEM serves as a central hub for content management, digital asset handling, and user experience management, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or extract sensitive data.
Security practitioners should implement comprehensive mitigations that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader defensive measures within the AEM ecosystem. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager versions that have patched this vulnerability, as Adobe has released security updates specifically addressing this flaw. Additionally, organizations should implement robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms at all points where user input enters the application, particularly focusing on URL parameters and client-side data handling. Network-based defenses including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection, while security monitoring should include detection of suspicious URL patterns and anomalous user behavior. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework's TA0001 Initial Access category, particularly technique T1190 for exploiting web applications. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their AEM implementations to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the platform's extensive feature set, as this particular flaw may indicate broader security gaps in the application's input handling and validation mechanisms.