CVE-2025-46966 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, 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 within their browser context. This DOM-based XSS (CWE-79) can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized modification of content within the AEM environment. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R), with a scope change (S:C) meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No known public exploits have been reported yet, and no patches have been linked at the time of publication. Given the widespread use of Adobe Experience Manager in enterprise content management and digital experience delivery, this vulnerability poses a significant risk if exploited, particularly in environments where multiple users interact with published content or administrative interfaces.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, especially for those relying on Adobe Experience Manager for managing websites, intranets, and digital marketing platforms. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, including user credentials and internal content, potentially resulting in data breaches and reputational damage. The ability to execute malicious scripts in users’ browsers could facilitate phishing attacks, session hijacking, or lateral movement within the network. This is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and media, where AEM is commonly deployed and where data protection regulations like GDPR impose strict requirements on data confidentiality and integrity. Additionally, the scope change characteristic of the vulnerability means that an attacker could leverage the flaw to affect other components or users beyond the initially targeted form, increasing the risk of widespread compromise within affected organizations.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Immediate review and application of any available Adobe patches or security updates for Adobe Experience Manager, especially upgrading beyond version 6.5.22. 2) Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields within AEM to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers accessing AEM content. 4) Conduct thorough security testing, including automated scanning and manual penetration testing focused on XSS vulnerabilities in AEM deployments. 5) Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary, reducing the risk posed by low-privileged attackers. 6) Monitor web server and application logs for suspicious activity indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. 7) Educate users and administrators about the risks of XSS and encourage cautious interaction with unexpected or suspicious content. 8) Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM.