CVE-2025-46979 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 interface. When a victim subsequently visits a page containing the compromised form field, the malicious script executes in their browser context. Stored XSS differs from reflected XSS in that the malicious payload is permanently stored on the server side, increasing the likelihood of repeated exploitation and broader impact. The vulnerability requires low privileges to exploit but does require user interaction, as the victim must browse to 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 and user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity but not availability. The vulnerability’s scope is changed (S:C), meaning the attack can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. Adobe Experience Manager is a widely used enterprise content management system, often deployed by large organizations for web content and digital asset management, making this vulnerability a significant concern for organizations relying on AEM for their web presence and internal portals.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial. A successful stored XSS attack can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive data, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users, and potential spread of malware through injected scripts. Since AEM is often used to manage public-facing websites and internal portals, exploitation could compromise both external customer-facing services and internal employee environments. The confidentiality and integrity of user data can be undermined, potentially leading to data breaches and reputational damage. Additionally, regulatory frameworks such as GDPR impose strict requirements on data protection, and exploitation of this vulnerability could result in non-compliance penalties if personal data is exposed. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it still poses a meaningful risk, especially in environments where users have elevated privileges or where sensitive data is handled. The requirement for user interaction means social engineering or phishing could be used to lure victims to the malicious page, increasing the attack’s feasibility.

Organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Monitor Adobe’s official security advisories closely for the release of patches addressing CVE-2025-46979 and apply updates promptly once available. 2) Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields within AEM to prevent malicious script injection. 3) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers accessing AEM-managed sites. 4) Conduct security awareness training to educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links that could lead to malicious AEM pages. 5) Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting AEM. 6) Review and minimize user privileges within AEM to reduce the risk posed by low-privileged attackers. 7) Regularly audit AEM content and form fields for suspicious or unexpected script content. These measures, combined, can reduce the attack surface and limit the potential damage until official patches are deployed.