CVE-2023-48607 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2023
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier are affected by a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (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 • 01/06/2024
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 web interfaces and administrative components that process user input through URL parameters and form fields. This particular vulnerability exists within the platform's handling of user-supplied input in web request parameters, specifically affecting versions 6.5.18 and earlier. The reflected XSS flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-provided data before incorporating it into HTTP responses that are sent back to the browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the AEM application's web components. When a user navigates to a maliciously crafted URL containing script tags in parameters, the application processes these inputs without adequate sanitization before rendering them in the browser context. The vulnerability manifests as a reflected XSS attack because the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response without being stored. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser session, potentially compromising the user's authentication context and enabling further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, and manipulate user interactions within the AEM environment. Low-privileged attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting deceptive URLs that appear legitimate to victims, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive content management features. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not need persistent access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for environments where administrators frequently click on links from external sources or where users may encounter malicious URLs in emails or web browsing activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should prioritize updating their AEM installations to versions 6.5.19 or later, where Adobe has addressed this specific XSS vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing comprehensive web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities can provide an additional layer of protection. Network administrators should consider implementing strict URL filtering policies that prevent access to potentially malicious URLs and establish user education programs to raise awareness about phishing attempts and suspicious links. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 which covers phishing techniques, and T1059 which addresses command and scripting interpreter methods. Organizations should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers of their application architecture, including client-side and server-side validation, to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include specific checks for reflected XSS vulnerabilities in web applications to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.