CVE-2024-36151 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2024
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.20 and earlier Answer: are affected by a DOM-based Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser session. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction, as the victim needs to visit a web page with a maliciously crafted script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.20 and earlier contain a critical DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on this content management platform. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw exists in how the system processes and renders user input within the document object model, creating an avenue for malicious script execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning attackers must convince victims to visit a specially crafted web page containing malicious JavaScript code. This interaction requirement makes the attack vector more targeted but no less dangerous in its potential impact on user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this DOM-based XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within Adobe Experience Manager's client-side processing capabilities. When users interact with the platform, particularly through dynamic content rendering or form handling features, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into the DOM structure. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute within the victim's browser context, potentially compromising session cookies, performing unauthorized actions, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that AEM is widely used for enterprise content management, making it a prime target for sophisticated social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling full session hijacking and privilege escalation within the affected systems. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal authentication tokens, access restricted content, modify website data, or perform actions as authenticated users. The DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that traditional server-side input sanitization measures may not prevent exploitation, as the attack occurs within the browser's client-side environment. This makes detection and prevention more challenging, requiring comprehensive client-side security measures and user education about suspicious web interactions. Organizations utilizing AEM 6.5.20 and earlier versions face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their digital assets.
Security mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Experience Manager installations to version 6.5.21 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including content security policies, enhanced input validation, and regular security assessments of web applications. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious traffic patterns, while user awareness training should emphasize the importance of verifying web page legitimacy before interaction. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics, highlighting the need for comprehensive security awareness programs. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their broader web application ecosystem.