CVE-2023-48544 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 • 01/06/2024
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier contain a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on this content management platform. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and operates as a stored XSS flaw, meaning malicious payloads are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever users access the affected content. The vulnerability specifically targets form fields within the AEM interface, creating an attack vector where low-privileged users can inject malicious JavaScript code that persists in the system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute code in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete account compromise and data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker with minimal privileges creates or modifies form fields that are subsequently rendered without proper input sanitization or output encoding. The malicious JavaScript code injected into these fields becomes persistent within the application's data store, executing every time the vulnerable page is accessed by any user. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active even after the initial injection, making it particularly challenging to detect and remediate. The attack chain typically involves the attacker submitting crafted input through form fields, which are then stored and later retrieved when other users browse to pages containing these fields, executing the malicious script in their browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack scenarios including session hijacking, credential theft, and data manipulation within the AEM environment. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access sensitive content, or manipulate the CMS functionality to redirect users to malicious websites. The low privilege requirement for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that maintain broad user access to their AEM systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter through JavaScript execution, demonstrating how the vulnerability can serve as a foundation for more complex attack chains within the broader threat landscape.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to protect against this vulnerability, beginning with applying the latest security patches from Adobe as soon as they become available. Input validation and output encoding should be strengthened throughout the AEM application, particularly around form field processing and content rendering mechanisms. Web Application Firewall rules can be implemented to detect and block common XSS payload patterns, though this should not replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include specific checks for stored XSS vulnerabilities in all form processing components. Access controls should be reviewed to minimize the number of users with privileges to modify form fields, implementing the principle of least privilege as outlined in NIST SP 800-53. Additionally, browser security features such as Content Security Policy headers should be configured to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices, which are fundamental requirements in secure software development lifecycle processes and align with OWASP Top Ten security controls for preventing XSS vulnerabilities.