CVE-2023-48566 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 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 vulnerabilities exist within these interfaces, they can potentially allow attackers to compromise user sessions and execute malicious code within the context of legitimate user browsers.
The specific vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48566 represents a DOM-based cross-site scripting flaw that exists within Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier. This type of vulnerability occurs when web applications manipulate the Document Object Model in an unsafe manner, allowing malicious scripts to be injected through user-controllable input parameters. Unlike traditional XSS vulnerabilities that occur in server-side code, DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities are triggered by client-side JavaScript code that processes user input without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability manifests when a user visits a maliciously crafted URL that contains script payload within parameters that are subsequently processed by the application's client-side JavaScript code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. Low-privileged attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious URLs that, when visited by a victim with higher privileges, execute malicious JavaScript within the victim's browser context. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Adobe Experience Manager for content management, as compromised administrator accounts could lead to unauthorized content modification, data exfiltration, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability particularly affects scenarios where administrators or privileged users frequently interact with the platform's web interfaces and may inadvertently visit malicious URLs.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the latest security patches released by Adobe, which typically include proper input validation and sanitization of user-controllable parameters within the application's JavaScript code. Additionally, implementing strict content security policies can prevent unauthorized script execution even if an attacker successfully injects malicious content. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious URL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers "Modify Application Configuration" and T1203 which involves "Exploitation for Client Execution." Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about phishing attacks and suspicious URL visits, as social engineering remains a common initial vector for exploitation of such vulnerabilities.