CVE-2024-36175 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 enables organizations to create, manage, and deliver digital content across multiple channels. The platform serves as a critical component in enterprise digital strategies, handling sensitive user data through various form interactions and content management functionalities. This vulnerability exists within the form processing mechanisms of AEM versions 6.5.20 and earlier, specifically targeting the sanitization of user inputs in form fields. The stored XSS flaw manifests when malicious scripts are submitted through form fields and subsequently stored within the system's database or content repository. When legitimate users navigate to pages containing these compromised form fields, the embedded JavaScript executes within their browser context, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the AEM form handling components. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass existing security controls, allowing them to inject script code into form fields that are later rendered to other users. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists within the system until manually removed, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users over extended periods. The vulnerability specifically impacts the rendering and processing of form data, where user inputs are not adequately sanitized before being stored and subsequently displayed to other users. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a common web application vulnerability occurring when applications fail to properly validate or encode user-supplied data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate user interfaces, or redirect users to malicious websites. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access user credentials, personal information, or system administrative functions depending on the user's privileges. The persistent nature of stored XSS makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can remain undetected for extended periods while continuously compromising users who interact with affected pages. Organizations using AEM versions 6.5.20 and earlier face significant risk of data breaches, user compromise, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability could be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors to escalate privileges or establish persistent access within the affected systems.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official Adobe patches and updates. Organizations must ensure all AEM instances are upgraded to versions that address this specific XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing robust input validation mechanisms, output encoding controls, and content security policies can provide defense-in-depth measures. Network monitoring and web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious script injections. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader application ecosystem. The remediation process should include thorough testing of all form fields and user input mechanisms to ensure proper sanitization and encoding. Organizations should also implement user education programs to raise awareness about potential XSS threats and maintain regular security updates across all digital platforms. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing comprehensive input validation strategies in enterprise content management systems.