CVE-2025-46861 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2025
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.22 and earlier are affected by a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that could be abused by a low privileged 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 • 06/11/2025
Adobe Experience Manager presents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in versions 6.5.22 and earlier, allowing low-privileged attackers to inject malicious scripts into form fields that persist in the application's database. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where improper validation or sanitization of user-supplied data enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before storing it in the backend database, creating a persistent vector for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent footholds within the application environment. When victims browse to pages containing the compromised form fields, their browsers execute the injected JavaScript code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1531 for "Modify System Image" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript", enabling attackers to manipulate the victim's browser environment and potentially escalate privileges within the application.
The security implications become particularly severe in enterprise environments where Adobe Experience Manager serves as a content management platform for sensitive corporate data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject scripts that harvest user credentials, monitor user activities, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once the malicious payload is injected, it will continue to affect all users who view the compromised content until the vulnerability is patched. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for applications handling sensitive information or serving as portals for authenticated users.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly in form fields and content management areas. The recommended approach involves applying the latest security patches from Adobe as soon as they become available, while also implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script patterns. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough audits of all form fields and user input areas within the application to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper input sanitization mechanisms can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation, while regular security testing and monitoring should be maintained to detect potential attempts to exploit this vulnerability.