CVE-2025-47096 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2025
Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.22 and earlier are affected by an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file. Low privileges are required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
Adobe Experience Manager presents a critical Improper Input Validation vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-47096 affecting versions 6.5.22 and earlier. This flaw resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within its file processing mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious code execution. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes files that contain crafted input sequences, which are not properly validated or sanitized before being interpreted by the application's runtime environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a social engineering approach where an attacker must convince a victim to open a maliciously crafted file. This user interaction requirement places the vulnerability in the realm of targeted attacks rather than fully automated exploits. The attack vector typically involves embedding malicious code within seemingly legitimate files that users would naturally open, such as documents, images, or other media types that AEM supports for content management. The vulnerability's design flaw allows input validation checks to be bypassed, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user's privileges. This represents a significant risk as it can lead to complete system compromise when users with elevated privileges open the malicious files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the affected systems. The low privilege requirement means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability even when operating with minimal system permissions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have varying levels of access. Organizations running affected AEM versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to confidential content management systems. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of AEM's content handling capabilities, potentially disrupting business operations while providing attackers with a foothold for further malicious activities.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of Adobe's official patches and updates for AEM versions 6.5.22 and earlier. Organizations must implement comprehensive monitoring of file upload and processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and user access controls should be strengthened to limit potential damage from successful attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, which is a fundamental weakness in input sanitization and validation mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, representing both initial compromise and post-exploitation phases. Regular security assessments and user education programs should be implemented to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability.