CVE-2024-36143 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 an 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 versions 6.5.20 and earlier contain a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant threat to web application security. This vulnerability resides in the form handling mechanisms of the platform, where user input is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered back to users. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code into form fields that are later displayed to other users, creating a persistent vector for malicious activity within the application ecosystem. The vulnerability manifests when administrators or content creators interact with form elements that accept user input, particularly in scenarios where the system fails to implement adequate input validation and output encoding measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern within the stored XSS attack model where malicious payloads are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever legitimate users access pages containing the compromised data. The attack chain begins with an authenticated or unauthenticated attacker submitting malicious javascript code through form fields that are subsequently stored in the AEM database. When other users navigate to pages displaying these stored form values, their browsers execute the injected javascript within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the user's browser environment. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on manipulation of web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent footholds within the AEM environment and potentially escalate privileges. Attackers can leverage the stored XSS to steal user sessions, redirect victims to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users who interact with compromised form fields. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where AEM is used for content management and user interaction, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire content delivery system. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive content management systems, especially when the platform handles user-generated content or forms that collect personal information.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and content security policy enforcement to prevent the execution of malicious scripts. The most effective immediate solutions involve upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.21 or later, which contain patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper sanitization of user input through libraries such as OWASP Java HTML Sanitizer or similar tools can help prevent the storage of malicious payloads. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and security monitoring systems should be deployed to detect and block suspicious input patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities within the AEM platform, while also ensuring that all components and extensions are kept current with security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with industry standards such as OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks that emphasize the need for secure coding practices in web application development.