CVE-2024-36141 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2024
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.20 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 • 03/23/2025
Adobe Experience Manager represents a comprehensive digital experience platform that serves as a cornerstone for enterprise content management and digital marketing operations. This platform hosts numerous web applications and interfaces that facilitate content creation, user management, and form processing across enterprise environments. The vulnerability in question affects versions 6.5.20 and earlier, which constitute a significant portion of deployments across various organizations. These systems typically handle sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and business-critical content, making them attractive targets for cyber adversaries seeking to exploit weaknesses in web application security. The platform's widespread adoption across multiple industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability.
The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the form processing functionality of Adobe Experience Manager, specifically in how the system handles user input submitted through various form fields. This flaw allows an attacker with low-privileged access to inject malicious JavaScript code into form fields that are subsequently stored and displayed to other users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's form handling components. When a victim accesses a page containing the compromised form field, their browser executes the injected JavaScript code within the context of their authenticated session. This represents a classic stored XSS attack vector where malicious code persists on the server and executes automatically when accessed by other users. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates a critical weakness in the platform's data sanitization processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities. Low-privileged attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface content, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the malicious payload remains active until manually removed from the system, providing attackers with extended opportunities for exploitation. In enterprise environments where Adobe Experience Manager serves as a central hub for user interactions, this vulnerability could compromise the security of entire user bases. Attackers might use this vector to escalate privileges, access restricted content, or establish persistent access points within the organization's digital infrastructure. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for phishing attacks, as attackers can craft convincing malicious payloads that appear legitimate to end users, potentially leading to broader security breaches.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation involves upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.5.21 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the stored XSS flaw. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software within their environment and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Input validation controls must be strengthened at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied data before storage, while output encoding should be implemented to prevent malicious scripts from executing in user contexts. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with XSS attacks. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and developers can help prevent improper configuration that might exacerbate the vulnerability's impact. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing functionality while maintaining the platform's operational integrity. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing robust input validation mechanisms in enterprise web applications.