CVE-2025-46993 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 user accesses a page containing the injected script, the malicious code 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 (the victim must visit the compromised page). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, the attack complexity is low, privileges are required, user interaction is needed, and the scope is changed (meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the vulnerable component). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity by allowing script execution that could steal session tokens, perform actions on behalf of the user, or manipulate displayed content. Availability is not impacted. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, and no official patches are linked at this time. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which is a common web application security weakness related to improper input validation and output encoding in web applications.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to web application security and user trust. A successful exploit could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed with the victim's privileges, and potential data leakage. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR, as exploitation could lead to data breaches and regulatory penalties. The stored nature of the XSS means multiple users could be affected once the malicious payload is injected, amplifying the impact. Public-facing websites and intranet portals built on AEM are at risk, potentially affecting customers, employees, and partners. The medium severity score suggests moderate risk, but the broad deployment of AEM in sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and retail across Europe increases the potential impact. Additionally, the changed scope indicates that the vulnerability could affect components beyond the immediate vulnerable form, potentially compromising broader application functionality or data.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigations: 1) Immediate review and hardening of input validation and output encoding on all form fields within Adobe Experience Manager to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 2) Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 3) Restrict privileges for users who can submit or manage content in AEM to minimize the risk of low-privileged attackers injecting scripts. 4) Monitor web application logs and user activity for unusual input patterns or script injections. 5) Conduct thorough security testing, including automated and manual penetration testing focused on XSS vectors in AEM deployments. 6) Stay alert for official Adobe patches or security advisories and apply them promptly once available. 7) Educate users to recognize suspicious behavior and avoid interacting with untrusted content. 8) Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XSS payloads specific to AEM environments. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific context of AEM and stored XSS attack vectors.