CVE-2023-48559 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 6.5.18 and earlier. This vulnerability allows a low-privileged attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code into vulnerable form fields within the AEM interface. When a victim user accesses a page containing the injected malicious script, the script executes in their browser context. Stored XSS vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because the malicious payload is saved on the server and served to multiple users, increasing the attack surface and potential impact. The vulnerability requires low privileges to exploit but does require user interaction, as the victim must visit the compromised page for the script to execute. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, and user interaction needed. The impact includes partial compromise of confidentiality and integrity, such as session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim user. There is no indication of known exploits in the wild yet, and no official patches are linked in the provided data, though Adobe typically releases security updates for AEM. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which is a common and well-understood web application security issue related to improper input sanitization and output encoding in web forms.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web application security and user trust. A successful exploit could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, and potential lateral movement within the affected environment. Given that AEM is widely used by enterprises, government agencies, and large organizations for content management and digital experience delivery, exploitation could disrupt critical business operations and damage reputations. The partial compromise of confidentiality and integrity could also lead to data breaches involving personal data, which would have regulatory implications under GDPR. The requirement for user interaction means that phishing or social engineering could be used to lure victims to the maliciously crafted pages. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits after public disclosure. Organizations relying on AEM for public-facing websites or intranet portals should be particularly vigilant.

1. Immediate review and application of any available Adobe security patches or updates for AEM, especially versions 6.5.18 and earlier. 2. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields within AEM to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 4. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application vulnerabilities, including stored XSS. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking on suspicious links and the importance of reporting unusual behavior. 6. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual input patterns or repeated attempts to inject scripts. 7. If patching is delayed, consider temporary mitigations such as disabling vulnerable form fields or restricting access to trusted users only. 8. Use web application firewalls (WAF) configured to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. 9. Review and harden authentication and session management mechanisms to limit the impact of potential session hijacking.