CVE-2025-46999 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 web interface. When a victim subsequently visits the affected page containing the injected script, the malicious code executes in their browser context. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, indicating improper neutralization of input leading to script injection. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact is limited to confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L), with no impact on availability (A:N). No known exploits are reported in the wild yet, and no official patches have been linked at the time of publication. Stored XSS in AEM is particularly concerning because AEM is widely used by enterprises for managing web content and digital assets, often hosting critical corporate websites and portals. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement, or distribution of malware to site visitors. Given the low privilege required to inject scripts, attackers could leverage social engineering or compromised accounts to persist malicious payloads. The vulnerability underscores the need for robust input validation and output encoding in web applications, especially those managing dynamic content and user input fields.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-46999 can be significant due to the widespread adoption of Adobe Experience Manager in sectors such as government, finance, retail, and media. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including session tokens or personal data, violating GDPR and other privacy regulations. The integrity of corporate websites could be compromised, damaging brand reputation and customer trust. Attackers could use the vulnerability as a foothold for further attacks, such as phishing campaigns targeting employees or customers. Since AEM often integrates with other enterprise systems, the scope of impact could extend beyond the web layer, potentially affecting internal networks if attackers leverage stolen credentials or session information. The requirement for user interaction means that phishing or social engineering could amplify the risk. Additionally, the change in scope (S:C) suggests that exploitation might affect multiple components or user roles, increasing the potential damage. European organizations must consider the regulatory and operational risks associated with such a vulnerability, especially given the high value of digital assets managed through AEM.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to AEM authoring and publishing environments to trusted users and networks, minimizing the attack surface. 2. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 3. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 4. Monitor logs and web traffic for unusual input patterns or script injections indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of phishing and social engineering that could trigger user interaction required for exploitation. 6. Apply the latest security updates and patches from Adobe as soon as they become available. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application vulnerabilities, including stored XSS. 8. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. 9. Review and harden user permissions within AEM to limit the ability of low-privileged users to inject content. 10. Consider isolating AEM environments from critical internal systems to contain potential breaches.