CVE-2024-36228 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2024
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.20 and earlier Answer: 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 requires user interaction, such as convincing a victim to click on a specially crafted link or to submit a form that triggers the vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.20 and earlier contain a DOM-based cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security risk for organizations relying on this content management platform. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and specifically manifests as a DOM-based XSS flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into victim browser sessions. The vulnerability exists within the application's handling of user-supplied input that is processed within the Document Object Model, creating an execution environment where attacker-controlled code can be interpreted and executed with the privileges of the victim's browser session. The flaw requires user interaction to exploit, meaning attackers must deceive victims into clicking malicious links or submitting forms that contain crafted payloads designed to trigger the vulnerability within the AEM environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, and potentially escalate privileges within the AEM platform. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access administrative functions, modify content, or extract confidential information from authenticated user sessions. The DOM-based nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script is executed in the victim's browser context rather than on the server side, making detection more challenging and allowing for sophisticated attack vectors that can bypass traditional server-side security controls. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it requires social engineering to deliver the malicious payload through crafted links or forms that users are tricked into interacting with.
Organizations using affected Adobe Experience Manager versions should prioritize immediate mitigation through official patches released by Adobe, as the vulnerability represents a high-severity risk that can lead to complete system compromise when exploited. The recommended approach includes upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager 6.5.21 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the DOM processing pipeline. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security assessments of user input handling, and monitoring for suspicious browser-based activity can provide additional defensive layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation across all application components, particularly in rich client-side applications where DOM manipulation occurs, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also conduct thorough security testing of their AEM implementations to identify similar DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities in custom components and extensions that may not have been covered by the vendor patch.