CVE-2023-48610 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 presents a significant security risk through CVE-2023-48610, which manifests as a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting versions 6.5.18 and earlier. This vulnerability operates within the web application's client-side execution environment, where malicious scripts can be injected through crafted URLs that reference vulnerable pages within the AEM interface. The flaw specifically leverages the Document Object Model to execute unauthorized JavaScript code in the victim's browser context, bypassing traditional server-side input validation mechanisms that typically protect against XSS attacks.
The exploitation scenario requires a low-privileged attacker to successfully manipulate a victim into visiting a maliciously crafted URL that triggers the vulnerable DOM element within the AEM application. This type of attack falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-site Scripting, specifically classified as DOM-based XSS where the vulnerability exists in the client-side code rather than being injected through server responses. The attack vector demonstrates the dangerous intersection of user interaction and client-side script execution, where the victim's browser becomes the execution environment for malicious code. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in AEM's input sanitization and output encoding practices, particularly in how the application handles URL parameters and DOM manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it allows attackers to potentially access sensitive user data, hijack user sessions, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, and establish persistent footholds within the AEM environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify page content, or even escalate privileges within the application's user management system. The DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that traditional server-side security controls may not adequately protect against exploitation, as the attack occurs entirely within the browser context where the legitimate application operates. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous because it can be difficult to detect through standard network monitoring or web application firewalls that focus on server-side traffic analysis.
Organizations utilizing Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of the software, implementing strict input validation and output encoding practices, and deploying content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. The mitigation strategy should incorporate the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only authorized users can access administrative functions, and implementing robust URL parameter validation to prevent malicious input from reaching vulnerable DOM elements. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls with enhanced DOM-based XSS detection capabilities and conduct regular security assessments to identify potential attack vectors within the AEM application. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1531 for credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple security domains to prevent exploitation and maintain application integrity.