CVE-2022-30686 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 6.5.13.0 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when an attacker crafts a malicious URL referencing a vulnerable page within AEM and convinces a victim to visit it. Upon visiting, the malicious JavaScript payload executes within the victim's browser context, potentially allowing the attacker to steal session tokens, manipulate web content, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have low-privilege access to the AEM instance, which means the attacker must be able to interact with the system in some limited capacity but does not require administrative privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. No public exploits have been reported in the wild, and Adobe has not provided specific patch links, suggesting that remediation may require upgrading to a fixed version or applying vendor guidance. The reflected nature of the XSS means the malicious script is not stored persistently but delivered via crafted URLs, increasing the need for user interaction (clicking the malicious link).

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to confidentiality and integrity. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed in the context of legitimate users, or defacement of web content. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to data leakage, or facilitate further attacks such as phishing or privilege escalation. Since AEM is often used for managing corporate websites and digital assets, exploitation could disrupt business operations or compromise customer trust. The requirement for low-privilege access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially if internal or external users with limited access can be targeted. The reflected XSS also requires user interaction, which may reduce large-scale automated exploitation but can be effective in targeted spear-phishing campaigns. Given the widespread use of AEM in sectors like government, finance, and media across Europe, the impact could be significant if not mitigated.

Organizations should prioritize upgrading Adobe Experience Manager to the latest patched version beyond 6.5.13.0 once available. In the interim, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-controllable inputs to prevent injection of malicious scripts. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Monitor and restrict low-privilege user access to AEM, applying the principle of least privilege and network segmentation to limit exposure. Educate users about the risks of clicking unsolicited links, especially those referencing internal AEM pages. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application vulnerabilities. Additionally, implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting reflected XSS patterns to detect and block malicious requests. Logging and alerting on suspicious URL access patterns can help identify attempted exploitation.