CVE-2023-48565 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 • 09/20/2025
Adobe Experience Manager represents a comprehensive digital experience platform that serves as a cornerstone for enterprise web content management and digital asset handling. The platform's architecture includes numerous administrative interfaces and user-facing components that process user input through various pathways. When analyzing the DOM-based XSS vulnerability present in versions 6.5.18 and earlier, it becomes evident that this flaw resides within the client-side processing mechanisms of the application's user interface components. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable data that flows through the Document Object Model, creating an attack surface where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed within the victim's browser context.
The technical nature of this DOM-based XSS vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input within the application's JavaScript execution environment. When a user navigates to a specially crafted URL containing malicious payload within parameters or path components, the vulnerable AEM instance processes this input without adequate sanitization measures. This allows the malicious JavaScript code to be interpreted and executed within the victim's browser session, leveraging the trusted context of the legitimate AEM application. The attack vector exploits the inherent trust relationship between the user's browser and the AEM application, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious code operates with the same privileges and access rights as legitimate user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform a range of malicious activities within the victim's browser context. Low-privileged attackers can potentially escalate their access by stealing session cookies, performing actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirecting victims to malicious sites. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative interfaces of AEM means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive content, modify user permissions, or manipulate digital assets. Given that AEM serves as a platform for enterprise digital experiences, the potential damage includes data exfiltration, service disruption, and compromise of customer information that organizations rely on for their digital presence and business operations.
Organizations utilizing affected Adobe Experience Manager versions should implement immediate mitigation strategies focusing on input validation and output encoding mechanisms within their web applications. The recommended approach involves comprehensive review and enhancement of the application's client-side JavaScript code to ensure all user-controllable data is properly sanitized before being processed or rendered within the DOM. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, employing proper HTML encoding for dynamic content, and establishing robust input validation routines that prevent malicious payloads from reaching the application's processing layers. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns and maintain regular patch management schedules to ensure all systems remain protected against known vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the technique of web shell deployment and credential access through client-side exploitation.