CVE-2023-48572 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 content management platform widely deployed across enterprise environments for digital experience management. The platform serves as a central hub for content creation, management, and delivery across multiple channels. This particular vulnerability affects versions 6.5.18 and earlier, which have been extensively utilized by organizations for their web content management needs. The vulnerability manifests as a stored cross-site scripting flaw that resides within the form processing capabilities of the application. The security implications are particularly concerning given that AEM is often used in environments where sensitive business data is managed and where users may have varying privilege levels.
The technical flaw exploits the insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the form handling components of Adobe Experience Manager. When users submit data through forms that are processed by the platform, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode the input before storing it in the database or content repository. This stored data is then subsequently retrieved and displayed without adequate security measures to prevent script execution. The vulnerability specifically targets form fields that are susceptible to script injection, allowing attackers to embed malicious javascript code that persists within the application's data store. The flaw operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which identifies improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic stored XSS vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. Low-privileged attackers who have access to form submission capabilities can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code in the context of other users' browsers. This could lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the application. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once malicious code is injected, it remains active until manually removed, creating a persistent threat that can affect multiple users over time. The vulnerability affects both authenticated and unauthenticated users who may interact with vulnerable form fields, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users contribute content.
Organizations utilizing Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to protect against this vulnerability. The primary mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.5.19 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing strict input validation at multiple points within the application architecture can provide defense in depth. Content Security Policy headers should be configured to prevent script execution in the browser context. Regular security scanning and monitoring of form submission endpoints can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of malicious content in web applications, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts through form inputs. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Given the widespread adoption of Adobe Experience Manager, the vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise security posture and requires immediate attention from security teams responsible for protecting digital content management systems.