CVE-2023-48583 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 content management platform widely deployed across enterprise environments for digital experience management and web content delivery. The platform serves as a central hub for organizations to manage their digital assets, create personalized user experiences, and maintain web presence across multiple channels. Given its critical role in enterprise digital infrastructure, vulnerabilities within AEM can have significant operational and security implications for organizations relying on its services.
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48583 manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting flaw that affects Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier. This particular variant of XSS operates within the browser's Document Object Model rather than traditional server-side input validation failures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied parameters within URL query strings that are subsequently processed by client-side JavaScript code. When a victim navigates to a maliciously crafted URL containing attacker-controlled JavaScript within the query parameters, the vulnerable AEM instance fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into the DOM structure. This allows the malicious script to execute within the victim's browser context with the privileges and permissions of the authenticated user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised browser session. Low-privileged attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges by stealing session tokens, accessing restricted administrative functions, or performing unauthorized operations within the AEM interface. The vulnerability particularly affects users with administrative or content management privileges, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify or delete content, create new user accounts, or manipulate the entire digital experience platform. The DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that the attack vector is particularly insidious as it does not require server-side processing or database manipulation, making detection and prevention more challenging.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.5.19 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and monitor for suspicious URL patterns containing encoded JavaScript payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages. Security teams should conduct comprehensive testing to verify that all AEM instances within their environment have been properly updated and that no legacy installations remain vulnerable. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious URL navigation and implementing strict access controls can help reduce the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities in the broader digital ecosystem.