CVE-2023-48568 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 management features that are accessible through web-based user interfaces. This particular vulnerability affects the core functionality of the application's web interface, specifically within its handling of user input and dynamic content rendering mechanisms.
The vulnerability manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting flaw that occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data within the document object model. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where the malicious payload is executed in the victim's browser context through manipulation of the DOM structure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the legitimate user session, bypassing traditional security controls that might protect against server-side injection attacks.
The attack scenario involves a low-privileged attacker crafting a malicious URL that, when visited by an authenticated user with higher privileges, executes arbitrary JavaScript code within the user's browser context. This DOM-based XSS vulnerability operates without requiring server-side processing of the malicious input, making it particularly stealthy and difficult to detect through conventional network monitoring. The vulnerability exists in all versions of Adobe Experience Manager 6.5.18 and earlier, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple deployments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, modify content, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access administrative functions, modify content, or exfiltrate confidential data from the Experience Manager instance. The attack requires social engineering to convince victims to click on malicious links, but once executed, the malicious code operates within the trusted context of the legitimate user session, making detection challenging.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.5.19 or later which contains the necessary patches for this vulnerability. Network security controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious URL patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be enhanced to ensure all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed by the application. Security awareness training should be conducted to educate users about the risks of clicking on untrusted links and the importance of verifying URL authenticity. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers script injection through DOM-based XSS attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple security layers.