CVE-2022-42362 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) version 6.5.14 and earlier. Reflected XSS occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a web page without proper validation or escaping, allowing an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser. In this case, a low-privileged attacker can craft a malicious URL referencing a vulnerable page within AEM. If a victim is tricked into clicking this URL, the injected script executes within their browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning it can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers. However, exploitation requires social engineering to convince the victim to visit the malicious link. There are no known public exploits in the wild at the time of reporting, and no official patches have been linked in the provided information. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Given the widespread use of Adobe Experience Manager in enterprise content management and digital experience platforms, this vulnerability poses a risk to organizations relying on AEM for web content delivery and management.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those using Adobe Experience Manager to manage public-facing websites or intranet portals. Successful exploitation could lead to the compromise of user sessions, theft of sensitive information such as authentication tokens or personal data, and potential defacement or manipulation of web content. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations if personal data is exposed), and disrupt business operations. Since AEM is often integrated with other enterprise systems, the attack surface may extend beyond the web interface, potentially enabling further lateral movement or privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities. The medium severity rating reflects the need for user interaction and the limited scope of direct system compromise, but the risk to confidentiality and integrity of user data remains notable.

Apply the latest security updates and patches from Adobe as soon as they become available for Adobe Experience Manager to address this vulnerability. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data within AEM to prevent injection of malicious scripts. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers accessing AEM-managed sites. Educate users and employees about the risks of clicking on suspicious links, especially those purporting to come from trusted sources related to the organization. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual URL requests or patterns indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting AEM. Review and minimize the exposure of AEM instances to the public internet where possible, restricting access to trusted networks or VPNs. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application vulnerabilities including XSS.