CVE-2025-46944 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 the AEM environment. 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, specifically the victim visiting 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 but user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with no impact on availability. The vulnerability scope is changed (S:C), meaning the attack can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that organizations should prioritize monitoring and mitigation efforts. Stored XSS in AEM can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or further exploitation within the affected web application environment.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web application security and user data confidentiality. AEM is widely used by enterprises and public sector organizations across Europe for content management and digital experience delivery. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, user impersonation, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks if attackers leverage stolen credentials or session tokens. The impact is heightened in sectors with stringent data protection regulations such as GDPR, where data breaches can result in severe legal and financial penalties. Additionally, compromised AEM instances could damage organizational reputation and trust, especially for government, financial, and healthcare institutions that rely heavily on secure web content delivery. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivial, it is exploitable with moderate effort and could be leveraged in targeted attacks against European entities.

1. Immediate mitigation should include reviewing and restricting user input in all form fields within AEM to prevent injection of malicious scripts. Implement strict input validation and output encoding consistent with OWASP XSS prevention guidelines. 2. Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers accessing AEM content. 3. Monitor web application logs for unusual input patterns or repeated attempts to inject scripts. 4. Limit privileges of users who can submit content to the AEM system to reduce the risk of malicious input. 5. Since no official patches are linked yet, organizations should engage with Adobe support for any available hotfixes or workarounds and plan for timely patching once released. 6. Conduct security awareness training for content authors and administrators on the risks of XSS and safe content handling practices. 7. Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. 8. Regularly audit AEM configurations and custom code for XSS vulnerabilities, especially in custom forms or components.