CVE-2025-64537 is a DOM-based Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 6.5.23 and earlier. The flaw arises from improper handling of user-controllable data within the Document Object Model (DOM), allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser. This type of XSS does not require server-side code injection but exploits client-side script manipulation, making detection and prevention more challenging. Successful exploitation enables attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform actions on behalf of the victim, severely compromising confidentiality and integrity. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.3, indicating critical severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The scope is changed, meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the potential for damage is significant given AEM's widespread use in enterprise web content management. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate interim mitigations. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which covers Cross-Site Scripting issues. Given the nature of DOM-based XSS, attackers can craft malicious URLs or web pages that, when visited by an authenticated user, execute harmful scripts. This can lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions, and data exfiltration. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, specifically visiting a maliciously crafted page, which emphasizes the importance of user awareness and browser security controls.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-64537 is substantial. Adobe Experience Manager is widely used by enterprises and public sector organizations across Europe for managing digital content and customer experiences. Exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized access to sensitive data, and potential manipulation of web content, undermining trust and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. The confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data are at high risk, which could result in data breaches, reputational damage, and financial losses. The vulnerability does not affect availability directly but can facilitate further attacks that might disrupt services. Sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and e-commerce, which rely heavily on secure web platforms, are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to lure victims, increasing the risk of successful exploitation in environments with less mature cybersecurity awareness. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the critical severity demands urgent attention to prevent potential attacks.

1. Apply official Adobe patches immediately once released for AEM versions 6.5.23 and earlier to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Until patches are available, implement strict Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the risk of DOM-based XSS exploitation. 3. Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on all user-controllable inputs within AEM applications to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 4. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with updated rules to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. 5. Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking on untrusted links and the importance of verifying URLs to mitigate social engineering vectors. 6. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual activity that may indicate attempted exploitation. 7. Employ browser security features such as SameSite cookies and HTTPOnly flags to protect session cookies from theft via XSS. 8. Review and minimize the use of client-side scripts that manipulate the DOM based on user input, reducing the attack surface. 9. Conduct security assessments and penetration testing focused on DOM-based XSS to identify and remediate similar issues proactively. 10. Maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any suspected exploitation attempts.