CVE-2025-46858 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 6.5.22 and earlier. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization in certain form fields within AEM, allowing a low-privileged attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that is persistently stored on the server. When a victim user accesses the affected page containing the malicious payload, the injected script executes in their browser context. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, credential theft, or performing actions on behalf of the victim user. The vulnerability requires low privileges to exploit but does require user interaction (the victim visiting the compromised page). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, and user interaction needed. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, and no patches are currently linked, suggesting that remediation may still be pending or in progress. Stored XSS vulnerabilities in web content management systems like AEM are particularly dangerous because they can affect multiple users and can be used as a vector for further attacks within an organization’s web infrastructure.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. A successful exploit could lead to theft of sensitive information, including authentication tokens and personal data, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that multiple users could be affected, amplifying the impact. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to conduct phishing campaigns or deliver malware within trusted corporate environments. Given that AEM is widely used by enterprises, government agencies, and media companies across Europe for managing digital content and websites, exploitation could disrupt business operations, damage reputations, and lead to regulatory penalties. The medium severity score indicates that while the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable without user interaction, the potential for lateral movement and data compromise remains notable.

European organizations should immediately audit their Adobe Experience Manager deployments to identify affected versions (6.5.22 and earlier). Until an official patch is released, organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data in AEM forms to prevent script injection. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Regularly monitor web application logs and user reports for suspicious activity indicative of XSS exploitation. Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk posed by low-privileged attackers. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules specifically designed to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. Once Adobe releases a security update, prioritize prompt patching of all affected systems. Additionally, conduct user awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks leveraging this vulnerability.