CVE-2025-61796 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 11.6 and earlier. This vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input in form fields, allowing an attacker with low privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored persistently on the server. When a victim user accesses the affected page containing the injected script, the malicious code executes in their browser context. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized manipulation of the web application interface. The attack requires user interaction, specifically the victim must open a crafted malicious link to trigger the payload. The vulnerability affects confidentiality and integrity but does not impact availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.4 reflects the network attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, and the necessity of user interaction, with a changed scope indicating that the vulnerability affects resources beyond the attacker’s initial privileges. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability poses a moderate risk to organizations relying on AEM for content management and delivery. Adobe has not yet provided a patch, so mitigation strategies must be implemented proactively.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-61796 can be significant, especially for those using Adobe Experience Manager to manage public-facing websites or intranet portals. Exploitation could lead to the compromise of user sessions, theft of sensitive information such as authentication tokens or personal data, and unauthorized actions performed on behalf of users. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR breaches), and cause financial losses. Since AEM is widely used in sectors such as government, finance, and media across Europe, successful exploitation could disrupt critical services or leak confidential information. The requirement for user interaction reduces the likelihood of automated mass exploitation but targeted phishing campaigns could increase risk. The changed scope means attackers might escalate privileges or access data beyond their initial permissions, amplifying the potential damage. Organizations with high web traffic and sensitive user bases are particularly vulnerable.

1. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on all form fields to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 2. Apply Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 3. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking suspicious links and encourage cautious behavior. 4. Monitor web application logs for unusual input patterns or repeated form submissions that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Isolate or sandbox vulnerable components to limit the scope of potential attacks. 6. Regularly review and update web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. 7. Stay updated with Adobe security advisories and apply patches promptly once available. 8. Conduct security testing and code reviews focusing on input handling in AEM customizations. 9. Restrict privileges of users who can submit content to the minimum necessary to reduce attack surface. 10. Consider temporary disabling or restricting vulnerable form functionalities if immediate patching is not feasible.