CVE-2025-46997 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 subsequently accesses a page containing the compromised form field, the injected script executes in their browser context. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization or output encoding of user-supplied data in form fields, enabling persistent 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 to trigger the script execution. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning 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 official patches have been linked yet. However, given AEM's widespread use in enterprise content management and web experience delivery, this vulnerability poses a risk of session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed in the context of authenticated users. Attackers could leverage this to escalate privileges or move laterally within an organization’s web infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only low privileges to inject malicious scripts, potentially enabling insider threats or compromised low-level accounts to exploit it. The requirement for user interaction means that social engineering or targeted phishing could facilitate exploitation.

For European organizations using Adobe Experience Manager, this vulnerability could lead to significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, and manipulation of web content served to users. Given AEM's role in managing digital assets and customer-facing portals, exploitation could result in data leakage, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance issues under GDPR. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that steal authentication tokens or redirect users to phishing sites, impacting both internal users and customers. The medium severity score suggests a moderate but tangible risk, especially in environments where AEM is integrated with other critical systems or handles sensitive personal data. The need for user interaction implies that phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to trigger the exploit, increasing the attack surface. Additionally, the scope change indicates that the vulnerability could affect multiple components or services within the AEM ecosystem, amplifying potential damage. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and e-commerce, which heavily rely on AEM for digital engagement, could face operational disruptions and legal consequences if exploited.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Immediately audit all AEM instances to identify usage of vulnerable versions (6.5.22 and earlier). 2) Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields, especially those exposed to low-privileged users, to prevent script injection. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious script payloads targeting AEM forms. 4) Conduct user awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could trigger the vulnerability. 5) Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual activities indicative of exploitation attempts, such as anomalous form submissions or unexpected script executions. 6) Segregate AEM environments and restrict access to minimize the impact of compromised accounts. 7) Follow Adobe’s security advisories closely and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available. 8) Consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within AEM-served pages. 9) Review and tighten authentication and session management controls to reduce the impact of stolen credentials or session tokens. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on proactive detection, environment hardening, and user education tailored to the specific nature of this stored XSS vulnerability.