CVE-2025-46947 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.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2025
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.22 and earlier contain a stored 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 classified as a stored XSS flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into form fields which persist in the application's database. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the form processing components of AEM, creating an attack surface where untrusted data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables low privileged attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. When users navigate to pages containing the vulnerable form fields, the injected scripts execute automatically, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through form inputs that are then stored and subsequently rendered without proper sanitization. This creates a persistent threat vector where the malicious code remains active until the affected form fields are modified or deleted, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data or administrative functions.
The attack surface extends beyond simple script execution to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised environments. According to ATT&CK framework tactics, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) where attackers can leverage the stored XSS to deliver malicious payloads that establish persistent access or execute commands on behalf of the victim. Organizations using AEM 6.5.22 and earlier versions face heightened risk of data breaches and unauthorized access, particularly in environments where the platform manages user registration forms, comment sections, or any interactive content submission features. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated through various attack vectors including social engineering campaigns targeting form submission interfaces.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls to prevent script injection, update to Adobe Experience Manager 6.5.23 or later versions that contain the necessary patches, and conduct comprehensive security assessments of all form-based interfaces. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security scanning of form fields, and user education regarding suspicious form submissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations must also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious form submission patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.