CVE-2024-36188 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 within 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 persist in the system's database, making it a stored XSS vulnerability rather than a reflected one. When legitimate users interact with these compromised forms or view pages containing the malicious content, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects the core content management functionality of Adobe Experience Manager, which is widely used for enterprise web applications and digital experiences, amplifying the potential impact across numerous organizations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the AEM form processing components. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the lack of proper sanitization when form data is stored in the repository. These payloads typically consist of javascript code embedded within form fields, which gets executed when the page is rendered to authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various form types including contact forms, user registration fields, comment sections, and any custom form components within AEM. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code remains persistent in the system until manually removed, providing attackers with extended opportunities for exploitation. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through spearphishing attachments, as the compromised forms can serve as entry points for broader attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-36188 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious domains. Organizations using AEM for customer-facing applications face heightened risk since attackers can inject code into forms that legitimate users interact with regularly, increasing the attack surface and exposure time. The vulnerability affects not only end-users but also administrators who might inadvertently encounter malicious content while managing forms or reviewing user submissions. In enterprise environments where AEM is used for internal collaboration platforms, the risk of privilege escalation increases significantly. The persistent nature of stored XSS makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for long-term compromise of web applications, as attackers can maintain access over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider the potential for data exfiltration, user impersonation, and the possibility of using this vulnerability as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches and updates to address this vulnerability in their Adobe Experience Manager installations. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation for all form fields, implementing proper output encoding for dynamic content, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Security teams should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script patterns, while also implementing content security policies to restrict script execution. Regular monitoring of form submissions and user-generated content should be established to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, limiting user privileges to reduce the impact of successful exploitation, and conducting regular security training for developers to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within their environment, as this type of weakness often appears in multiple components of complex web platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in web application development, aligning with security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for application security.