CVE-2025-47017 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 compromised form field, the injected script executes in their browser context. Stored XSS differs from reflected XSS in that the malicious payload is permanently stored on the server, making it persistently available to any user who views the affected page. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding in form fields, enabling attackers to embed scripts that can hijack user sessions, steal cookies, perform actions on behalf of the user, or deliver further malware. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (remote), requires low privileges, and user interaction (visiting the malicious page) is necessary. The scope is changed, indicating that the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initially vulnerable module. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are low but present, while availability is not affected. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, suggesting that mitigation may rely on configuration or temporary workarounds until an official fix is released.

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 under a victim's credentials, or data leakage through stolen cookies or tokens. This is particularly critical for organizations handling sensitive customer data, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once injected, malicious scripts can affect multiple users over time, potentially leading to widespread compromise. Additionally, exploitation could facilitate phishing attacks or malware distribution, further amplifying the damage. Given the widespread adoption of AEM in Europe for content management and digital experience platforms, the vulnerability could disrupt business operations and damage reputations if exploited. Compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations could also be jeopardized if personal data is exposed or manipulated via this vulnerability.

1. Immediate mitigation should include reviewing and sanitizing all user inputs in AEM form fields to prevent script injection. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on the server side, especially for any fields that accept user-generated content. 2. Apply Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts within the browser context, limiting the impact of any injected scripts. 3. Restrict access to AEM administrative and content authoring interfaces to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of low-privileged attackers injecting malicious content. 4. Monitor logs and user activity for unusual behavior indicative of XSS exploitation attempts. 5. Regularly update and patch Adobe Experience Manager as soon as Adobe releases a security update addressing this vulnerability. 6. Educate users to be cautious when interacting with content on AEM-powered sites, especially if unexpected prompts or behaviors occur. 7. Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules tailored to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM.