CVE-2024-26044 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2024
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.19 and earlier are affected by a DOM-based Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that could be abused by an attacker to inject malicious scripts into a webpage. Malicious JavaScript may be executed in a victim’s browser when they browse to the page containing the vulnerable script. This could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the victim's browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2025
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.19 and earlier contain a critical DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant threat to web application security. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and specifically manifests as a DOM-based XSS flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into web pages. The vulnerability exists within the application's handling of user-supplied input that gets processed in the browser's Document Object Model rather than being properly sanitized or escaped before execution. The attack vector leverages the fact that the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize parameters that are directly used in DOM operations, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable code. This particular vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting, specifically targeting client-side script execution through DOM manipulation. The security implications extend beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete browser compromise and potential lateral movement within the victim's session.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the AEM application's client-side code execution pathways. When users interact with vulnerable pages, the application processes parameters through DOM methods without sufficient security controls, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically affects how the application handles dynamic content generation and user input processing, creating a direct pathway for attackers to inject scripts that will execute when users navigate to affected pages. This flaw operates at the client-side level where the browser interprets and executes JavaScript code, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional server-side security controls. The DOM-based nature means that the vulnerability is triggered by manipulating the Document Object Model directly rather than relying on server-side parameter injection, which makes it more challenging to detect through conventional web application firewalls. Attackers can craft malicious URLs or manipulate page parameters to inject their payloads, which then execute in the victim's browser without requiring any additional user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a powerful foothold for more sophisticated attacks. Successful exploitation can result in complete session hijacking, data exfiltration, credential theft, and potentially full system compromise if the victim's browser has elevated privileges or access to sensitive resources. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser context, which means they can perform actions such as reading cookies, modifying page content, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even installing additional malware. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where AEM is used for content management and digital experiences, as attackers could target executives or privileged users with access to sensitive corporate data. The impact is amplified when considering that AEM is widely used in production environments, meaning that a single vulnerable instance could compromise multiple users and systems. Organizations using these older versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or social engineering tactics that direct users to malicious pages.
Organizations should immediately prioritize patching their Adobe Experience Manager installations to versions 6.5.20 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and sanitization of parameters used in DOM operations, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as executable JavaScript code. Security teams should also implement additional defensive measures including content security policy enforcement, input validation at multiple layers, and monitoring for suspicious DOM manipulation patterns. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block known malicious payloads associated with this vulnerability, though the nature of DOM-based XSS means that traditional WAF signatures may be insufficient. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify any other potential DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, particularly in custom extensions or third-party integrations. Organizations should also implement user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of visiting untrusted websites or clicking on suspicious links, as social engineering remains a common attack vector for exploiting such client-side vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 and ATT&CK technique T1059.007 underscores the need for comprehensive security controls that address both server-side and client-side attack surfaces, with particular attention to the validation and sanitization of dynamic content generation processes.