CVE-2025-46916 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 a page containing the compromised form field, the malicious script executes in their browser context. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The CVSS v3.1 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. This means the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requiring low privileges and user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent, with no direct impact on availability. No known exploits are currently in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. However, given AEM's widespread use in enterprise content management and digital experience delivery, this vulnerability poses a risk of session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed in the context of affected users. Attackers could leverage this to compromise user trust, steal sensitive data, or pivot to further attacks within the enterprise environment.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability could lead to significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, theft of user credentials, and potential defacement or manipulation of web content. Since AEM is often used to manage public-facing websites and intranet portals, exploitation could damage brand reputation and customer trust. The stored XSS could also be leveraged to conduct targeted phishing or social engineering attacks against employees or customers. Given the scope change, attackers might escalate the impact beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially affecting multiple users and systems. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and retail—where AEM is commonly deployed—may face regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is compromised. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate risk, but the ease of exploitation and potential for user interaction make it a credible threat vector that should be addressed promptly.

European organizations should immediately audit their Adobe Experience Manager deployments to identify affected versions (6.5.22 and earlier). Until official patches are released, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data in AEM forms to neutralize malicious scripts. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block typical XSS payloads targeting AEM endpoints. Conduct thorough security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing focused on stored XSS vectors. Educate users to recognize suspicious behaviors and avoid clicking on untrusted links. Monitor logs for unusual activities indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. Plan for rapid deployment of Adobe’s official security updates once available. Additionally, consider isolating AEM instances from critical internal networks to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources, reducing the impact of injected scripts. Regularly back up AEM configurations and content to enable quick recovery from potential compromises.