CVE-2024-36227 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2024
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.20 and earlier 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 typically requires user interaction, such as convincing a user to click on a specially crafted link or to submit a malicious form.
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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 of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as a DOM-based XSS flaw that occurs when the application processes user-supplied data directly within the Document Object Model without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the AEM framework, creating an attack surface where malicious JavaScript code can be injected and executed within the victim's browser context. The security implications extend beyond simple script execution as this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the DOM structure and potentially access sensitive session information, cookies, and other browser-based data that could facilitate further exploitation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires social engineering tactics to convince users to interact with maliciously crafted payloads, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where user trust is paramount. Attackers can craft deceptive links or forms that, when clicked or submitted by unsuspecting users, trigger the execution of malicious JavaScript within the victim's browser session. This type of attack leverages the trust relationship between the user and the legitimate AEM application, allowing attackers to bypass traditional security controls that might protect against server-side attacks. The DOM-based nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is executed directly in the browser's memory space, making it difficult to detect through conventional network-based security monitoring solutions that focus on server-side traffic analysis.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass potential data breaches, session hijacking, and privilege escalation scenarios within the AEM environment. Organizations using affected AEM versions face increased risk of unauthorized access to sensitive content management systems, potential exposure of unpublished content, and compromise of administrative functions that could lead to complete system takeover. The vulnerability's reliance on user interaction creates a persistent risk vector that organizations must address through both technical mitigations and user awareness training programs. Security teams should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their attack surface, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain access to user credentials, manipulate content, and potentially use the compromised AEM instance as a launch point for attacks against other systems within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Adobe Experience Manager, implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding controls, and deploying content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for social engineering through spearphishing, and T1059.007 for script injection attacks, making it particularly relevant to organizations implementing security frameworks that follow MITRE ATT&CK methodology. Security controls should include web application firewalls with XSS protection capabilities, regular security assessments of AEM implementations, and monitoring for anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful consideration of the application's existing security controls and the potential impact of updates on business operations, particularly given that AEM is often a core component of enterprise digital experience platforms where downtime and compatibility issues can have significant business implications.