CVE-2024-36179 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 falls under the CWE-79 category for cross-site scripting and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The flaw exists in the form processing functionality where user input is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered back to users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious JavaScript code through form fields that are then stored within the application's database or content management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the AEM framework. When administrators or content editors view forms containing malicious payloads, the stored scripts execute in the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where the malicious code remains active until the affected form fields are modified or deleted. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The stored nature of the XSS means that the attack vector is not limited to a single interaction but can affect multiple users over time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could establish a foothold within the organization's digital ecosystem by executing arbitrary JavaScript code in users' browsers. This capability allows for advanced persistent threat activities including credential harvesting, browser fingerprinting, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the core content management functionality of AEM, which is often used for corporate websites, digital marketing platforms, and customer-facing applications, making the attack surface particularly broad. Organizations relying on AEM for their web presence face significant risk of data breaches and reputational damage.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.21 or later, which contain patches addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures, enforcing strict content security policies, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications can help mitigate the risk. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious form submissions can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other components of their digital infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in existing functionality while maintaining the security posture of the overall system.