CVE-2023-48556 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2024
Adobe Experience Manager serves as a comprehensive content management platform that enables organizations to create, manage, and deliver digital experiences across multiple channels. The platform's architecture includes various administrative interfaces and content editing capabilities that are accessible through web-based user interfaces. When vulnerable versions of Adobe Experience Manager are deployed, they expose a critical DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized code within the victim's browser context. This vulnerability specifically affects Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier, representing a significant security weakness in the platform's input validation and output encoding mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability where malicious JavaScript code can be injected through crafted URLs that reference vulnerable pages within the Adobe Experience Manager interface. Unlike traditional XSS vulnerabilities that occur in server-side code, this DOM-based variant exploits the browser's Document Object Model directly, allowing attackers to manipulate the page's execution environment without requiring server-side processing. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is then reflected back to the browser through DOM manipulation methods. This particular weakness falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and more specifically aligns with CWE-938 which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through DOM-based XSS flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the victim's browser session. Low-privileged attackers who can convince victims to click on malicious links can potentially escalate their privileges, steal session cookies, access sensitive administrative functions, and manipulate content within the Adobe Experience Manager environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious URL, making it an attractive vector for social engineering attacks. Attackers could craft phishing campaigns that appear legitimate while exploiting this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to content management systems, potentially compromising entire digital publishing workflows and exposing sensitive organizational data. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1531 for account access removal, as it enables unauthorized access to administrative interfaces.
Organizations utilizing vulnerable Adobe Experience Manager versions should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their systems. The most effective immediate action involves updating to Adobe Experience Manager 6.5.19 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched and properly addressed through enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement strict content security policies that limit script execution and restrict access to sensitive administrative functions through proper authentication and authorization controls. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential attack vectors and ensure that all user interactions with the platform are properly validated. Organizations should also implement user education programs to raise awareness about phishing attempts and the importance of verifying URLs before clicking on suspicious links, as the vulnerability relies heavily on social engineering elements to achieve successful exploitation.