CVE-2025-46978 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 • 06/13/2025
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 and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application. The flaw exists in the form field processing mechanism where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. Attackers with low privileged access can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious javascript code into form fields that are later displayed to other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the AEM content management system. When users submit data through forms, the system fails to adequately sanitize the input before storing it in the database or content repository. This stored data is then retrieved and rendered in web pages without proper HTML encoding or context-appropriate sanitization. The vulnerability specifically affects form fields that are designed to accept user-generated content, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with shared content management interfaces. The malicious scripts can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the victim's browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution and can lead to severe consequences for affected organizations. A successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal user sessions, access sensitive content, modify data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The low privilege requirement makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited by individuals who do not have administrative access to the system. Organizations using AEM 6.5.22 or earlier versions face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to confidential information, and potential compromise of their entire content management ecosystem. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once malicious code is injected, it remains persistent and can affect multiple users over time.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Adobe Experience Manager version 6.5.23 or later, which contains patches for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can provide defense-in-depth protection. Security measures should include regular security assessments of form fields and user input handling, implementing content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious activity in form submissions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security training for administrators to recognize potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the need for comprehensive security testing of content management systems that handle user-generated content.