CVE-2023-48570 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 • 09/20/2025
Adobe Experience Manager represents a comprehensive digital experience platform that serves as a cornerstone for enterprise content management and digital asset handling. The platform's architecture includes robust form processing capabilities that allow organizations to collect user data through web forms. This particular vulnerability exists within the form field handling mechanism where input validation and output sanitization processes fail to properly filter malicious content. The stored XSS flaw specifically targets the way the system processes and renders form data, creating a persistent vector for malicious script execution. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can inject JavaScript code into form fields that persist in the system's database, making the malicious payload active whenever any user views the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the AEM form processing pipeline. When users submit data through web forms, the system stores this information in its content repository without sufficient sanitization of potentially malicious content. The vulnerability manifests when the system renders stored form data in subsequent page views, executing any embedded JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. This represents a classic stored XSS scenario where the malicious payload is not transmitted through the request itself but rather stored in the application's database or storage layer. The low-privileged nature of the attack vector indicates that even users with minimal administrative rights can exploit this weakness, potentially escalating their access through further exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates persistent attack vectors that can compromise multiple users over time. An attacker who successfully injects malicious code can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of victims within the context of the AEM application. This vulnerability affects organizations that rely on AEM for customer data collection, employee forms, or any web-based data entry processes. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack remains active until the malicious content is removed from the system, creating ongoing security risks for the organization. The vulnerability particularly impacts environments where AEM is used for public-facing websites or customer portals, as these interfaces are most likely to contain vulnerable form fields that can be exploited by external attackers.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and regular security scanning of their AEM instances. The recommended approach involves upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.5.19 or later, which includes patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution in the browser context. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of all form fields within their AEM environments, implementing proper sanitization of user inputs and monitoring for suspicious activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a typical attack pattern that falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in their broader application landscape.