CVE-2025-46946 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in 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 an unsuspecting user visits 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 leverages improper input validation or output encoding in form fields, enabling script injection. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R) is necessary for exploitation. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L) but not availability (A:N). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, suggesting that organizations should prioritize monitoring and mitigation efforts proactively. Given AEM's role as a content management system widely used for managing web content and digital assets, exploitation could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or defacement, impacting user trust and organizational reputation.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on Adobe Experience Manager to manage public-facing websites, intranets, or customer portals. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user data, including session tokens or personal information, through malicious script execution. This can result in data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could manipulate website content or redirect users to phishing sites, undermining customer trust. The medium severity score indicates a moderate risk, but the widespread use of AEM in sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and retail across Europe elevates the potential impact. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to increase exploitation success. The scope change implies that the vulnerability could affect multiple components or users beyond the initial entry point, potentially amplifying the damage within an organization.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Immediately audit all AEM instances to identify versions 6.5.22 or earlier and prioritize upgrading to the latest patched version once available. 2) In the interim, apply strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields within AEM to prevent script injection. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the impact of XSS attacks. 4) Conduct regular security testing, including automated scanning and manual penetration testing focused on XSS vulnerabilities in AEM-managed applications. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or interacting with untrusted content to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation requiring user interaction. 6) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual activity or injection attempts targeting form fields. 7) Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules tuned to detect and block XSS payloads specific to AEM environments. 8) Review and limit user privileges within AEM to minimize the ability of low-privileged users to inject malicious content.