CVE-2024-36168 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 represents a comprehensive digital experience platform that serves as a cornerstone for enterprise content management and digital asset handling. This platform enables organizations to create, manage, and deliver digital experiences across multiple channels while providing robust security controls for content creators and administrators. The platform's architecture includes various form handling mechanisms and content input validation systems that are critical for maintaining the integrity of user-generated content. Organizations rely heavily on AEM's security features to protect against malicious actors who might attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in the content management infrastructure. The platform's widespread adoption across enterprise environments means that vulnerabilities within its codebase can potentially impact numerous organizations simultaneously, making thorough security analysis essential for maintaining operational continuity and protecting sensitive data assets.
The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.20 and earlier stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the form processing components of the platform. This flaw specifically affects how the system handles user-submitted data in form fields, failing to properly escape or filter malicious script content before storing it within the application's database or content repository. The vulnerability manifests when attackers craft malicious JavaScript payloads that are then stored in form fields and subsequently executed when other users view the affected content. This represents a classic stored XSS attack vector where the malicious code persists server-side and executes in the context of legitimate user sessions. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that AEM's content management capabilities allow for extensive user interaction, creating multiple potential entry points for attackers to exploit this weakness. The flaw directly violates security principles related to input validation and output encoding, creating a dangerous pathway for attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions within the Adobe Experience Manager platform. When malicious scripts execute in victim browsers, they can perform actions such as stealing cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, modifying page content, or even executing additional attacks against the victim's system. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains persistent, allowing attackers to maintain access to compromised systems over extended periods. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on user-generated content within their AEM implementations, such as community portals, feedback systems, or customer engagement platforms where users can submit content through forms. The attack surface is further expanded in environments where AEM serves as a central hub for digital experiences, as compromised forms could lead to broader system infiltration or data exfiltration attempts. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and potential reputational damage if user data becomes compromised through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Adobe Experience Manager installations to the latest supported versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures at multiple layers within their AEM implementations, including client-side and server-side sanitization of form inputs. The implementation of Content Security Policies (CSP) can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits should verify that all form handling components properly sanitize user input. Security teams should establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual form submission patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential lateral movement if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct thorough security testing of their AEM environments, including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning, to identify additional weaknesses that might compound the risks associated with this XSS vulnerability. Regular security awareness training for administrators and content creators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability through user interaction with malicious content. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing AEM functionality while maintaining the integrity of user-generated content systems.