CVE-2023-48596 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 content management system and digital marketing solution for enterprises worldwide. The platform facilitates the creation and management of web content through various form-based interfaces that allow users to input data and interact with digital assets. This particular vulnerability exists within the form processing mechanisms of AEM versions 6.5.18 and earlier, where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to browsers. The stored XSS flaw specifically targets form fields that accept user submissions, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by attackers who gain access to low-privileged accounts within the system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the platform's content rendering pipeline, allowing malicious scripts to be stored in the database and subsequently executed when legitimate users view the affected content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first obtain a low-privileged account within the AEM environment, which typically involves credentials obtained through social engineering, credential reuse, or other initial compromise techniques. Once authenticated, the attacker can navigate to form fields that accept user input and inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored in the system's database. The malicious payload remains persistent until manually removed by administrators, creating a continuous threat vector that can affect any user who views the compromised form fields. This vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-79 which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly integrated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector operates through the standard web browser execution model where the injected JavaScript code executes in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially allowing for session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the victim's privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security posture and user data integrity. A successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal user sessions, access sensitive content, or redirect victims to malicious websites that could further compromise their systems. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, creating a long-term threat that can affect multiple users over extended periods. Organizations using AEM versions 6.5.18 and earlier face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to confidential information, and potential compliance violations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access points within the enterprise environment, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as lateral movement or privilege escalation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1531 which describes the use of malicious file content to gain access to systems and T1071 which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected AEM installations to version 6.5.19 or later where the XSS protection mechanisms have been strengthened. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all form fields and user input points within the AEM environment to prevent malicious scripts from being stored or executed. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect and alert on unusual form submissions or patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of compromised low-privileged accounts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader AEM ecosystem. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and regular security awareness training for users can further reduce the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect and block XSS attack patterns targeting AEM applications.