CVE-2025-46871 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. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N, meaning the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges, and user interaction is needed to trigger the script execution. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially impacting other parts of the system or user sessions. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent but does not affect availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, suggesting that remediation may still be pending or in progress. Stored XSS in a content management system like AEM is particularly dangerous because it can affect multiple users, including administrators and content editors, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of web applications and content management workflows. A successful exploit could allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions with the victim's privileges, or deliver further malware payloads. This is especially critical for organizations handling sensitive or regulated data, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once injected, malicious scripts can affect multiple users over time, increasing the attack surface. Additionally, compromised AEM instances could damage organizational reputation and lead to regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed or manipulated. Since AEM is widely used in Europe for enterprise web content management, the threat could disrupt business operations and erode trust in digital services.

Organizations should immediately audit their Adobe Experience Manager installations to identify affected versions (6.5.22 and earlier). Until an official patch is released, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields within AEM to neutralize potentially malicious scripts. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk of low-privileged attackers injecting malicious content. Monitor web application logs for unusual input patterns or repeated form submissions that could indicate exploitation attempts. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. Educate users to recognize suspicious behavior and avoid clicking on untrusted links that could trigger malicious scripts. Once Adobe releases a security update, prioritize applying the patch promptly to fully remediate the vulnerability.