CVE-2025-54254 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 6.5.23 and earlier. The vulnerability is classified as an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference (XXE), identified under CWE-611. XXE vulnerabilities occur when XML parsers process external entity references without proper validation or restriction, allowing attackers to manipulate XML input to access unauthorized resources. In this case, an attacker can exploit the vulnerability to perform arbitrary file system reads on the server hosting AEM. This means sensitive files on the local file system, such as configuration files, credentials, or other sensitive data, could be exposed. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6, indicating high severity, with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N. This translates to a network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction needed, and a changed scope, with a high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. The scope change indicates that the vulnerability allows access beyond the initially vulnerable component, potentially affecting other components or systems within the environment. Exploitation does not require user interaction or authentication, increasing the risk of automated or remote attacks. While no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a critical issue for organizations using affected versions of AEM. Adobe has not yet published patches or mitigations at the time of this report, so organizations must prioritize risk assessment and interim protective measures.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-54254 can be significant, especially for those relying on Adobe Experience Manager for content management and digital experience delivery. Unauthorized file system reads can lead to exposure of sensitive corporate data, intellectual property, user credentials, or configuration details that could facilitate further attacks. Confidentiality breaches can result in regulatory non-compliance, particularly under GDPR, which mandates strict protection of personal data. The changed scope of the vulnerability suggests that exploitation could affect multiple components or services, potentially amplifying the damage. Since no authentication or user interaction is required, attackers can remotely exploit this vulnerability, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. This can lead to reputational damage, financial losses, and operational disruptions. Additionally, exposed internal files might contain secrets or keys that could be leveraged for lateral movement or privilege escalation within the network. Given the critical role of AEM in digital infrastructure, the vulnerability could also impact service availability indirectly through subsequent attacks or data leaks.

1. Immediate risk mitigation should include restricting network access to Adobe Experience Manager instances, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks or VPNs only. 2. Implement strict input validation and XML parser configuration to disable external entity processing where possible, or use secure XML parsing libraries that mitigate XXE risks. 3. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual XML payloads or access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block malicious XML requests targeting XXE vectors. 5. Segregate AEM servers from critical infrastructure to contain potential breaches. 6. Maintain up-to-date backups and ensure incident response plans include scenarios for data exposure via XXE. 7. Once Adobe releases official patches or updates, prioritize immediate deployment after testing in controlled environments. 8. Conduct security assessments and penetration testing focused on XML processing components to identify residual risks. 9. Educate development and operations teams about secure XML handling best practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom integrations or extensions.