CVE-2025-46853 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 6.5.22 and earlier. This vulnerability allows a low-privileged attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code into vulnerable form fields within AEM. When a victim user accesses a page containing the compromised form field, the injected 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 (the victim must visit the affected page). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, with low attack complexity, requiring privileges and user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity but not availability. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known public exploits or patches have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed as of June 2025. Stored XSS in AEM can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or further exploitation of internal systems through the victim's browser. Given AEM’s role as a content management system widely used by enterprises for web content delivery, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on it for public-facing or internal web portals.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks if attackers leverage the XSS to deploy further attacks such as phishing or malware delivery. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is moderate but significant, especially for organizations handling personal data subject to GDPR. Exploitation could undermine user trust, damage brand reputation, and lead to regulatory penalties if personal data is compromised. Since AEM is often used by government, financial, healthcare, and large enterprises in Europe, the risk extends to critical sectors. The vulnerability could also be exploited to target internal users if AEM is used for intranet portals, increasing the risk of insider threats or data leakage.

Organizations should immediately review their AEM deployments and identify versions at or below 6.5.22. Although no official patch is currently available, administrators should implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields to prevent script injection. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Monitor web application logs for suspicious input patterns indicative of XSS attempts. Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk of exploitation by low-privileged attackers. Additionally, consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. Organizations should stay alert for Adobe’s official patches or advisories and apply them promptly once released. Conduct user awareness training to recognize phishing or suspicious links that might exploit this vulnerability.