CVE-2025-46985 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 the AEM platform, allowing a low-privileged attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that is persistently stored on the server. When a victim user accesses the affected page containing the malicious payload, the injected script executes in their browser context. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, credential theft, or performing actions on behalf of the victim user. The vulnerability requires low privileges to exploit, but does require user interaction (the victim must visit the compromised page). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, and user interaction needed. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. No known exploits are currently observed in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. Stored XSS vulnerabilities in web content management systems like AEM are particularly dangerous because they can affect multiple users and persist until remediated. Given AEM's role in managing web content for enterprises, exploitation could lead to significant reputational damage and data exposure.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Attackers could leverage the stored XSS to steal authentication tokens or cookies, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive internal portals or customer data. This could lead to data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and erosion of customer trust. Additionally, malicious scripts could be used to perform actions on behalf of users, potentially altering content or injecting further malware. The medium severity score suggests moderate risk, but the widespread use of AEM in European public sector, financial, and retail organizations amplifies the potential impact. The requirement for user interaction means social engineering or phishing could be used to lure victims to compromised pages. The persistence of the injected scripts until removal means the attack surface remains until the vulnerability is patched and content sanitized. Overall, the threat could disrupt business operations, cause financial losses, and damage brand reputation.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigations: 1) Immediately audit all AEM instances for vulnerable versions (6.5.22 and earlier) and plan urgent upgrades to the latest patched versions once available. 2) Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields to prevent script injection, including custom-developed components. 3) Conduct thorough content reviews and sanitize existing stored content to remove any malicious scripts. 4) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking unknown links and visiting untrusted pages within AEM-managed sites. 6) Monitor web logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 7) Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting common XSS payloads to provide an additional layer of defense. 8) Coordinate with Adobe support for timely patch releases and advisories. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on both immediate remediation and long-term prevention tailored to AEM environments.