CVE-2023-48609 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 • 01/06/2024
Adobe Experience Manager 6.5.18 and earlier versions contain a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability classified as DOM-based XSS that poses significant security risks to organizations relying on this content management platform. This vulnerability exists within the web application's handling of user input and dynamic content rendering processes, specifically affecting the way the application processes URLs and parameters that are subsequently executed within the browser's document object model. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user accounts and sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the AEM application's client-side processing mechanisms. When users navigate to specific URLs containing malicious payloads, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into dynamic DOM elements. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled JavaScript code can be executed with the privileges of the authenticated user, effectively bypassing traditional server-side security controls. The vulnerability operates entirely within the browser's DOM context rather than relying on server-side injection points, making it particularly challenging to detect through conventional web application firewalls and security scanning tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can lead to complete account compromise and data exfiltration. Low-privileged attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious URLs that, when visited by victims with higher privileges, execute JavaScript code that can steal session cookies, capture keystrokes, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions within the AEM application. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a specially crafted URL, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently click on links from emails, chat applications, or other communication channels. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which catalogs cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing techniques.
Organizations utilizing Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 or earlier should prioritize immediate remediation through official Adobe security patches and updates. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager 6.5.19 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing comprehensive web application firewalls with advanced XSS detection capabilities, establishing strict content security policies, and conducting regular security awareness training for users can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous URL patterns and suspicious user behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against increasingly sophisticated web-based attacks targeting enterprise content management systems.