CVE-2025-64612 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), specifically versions 6.5.23 and earlier. This vulnerability arises due to insufficient sanitization of user input in certain form fields, allowing a low-privileged attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored on the server and later executed in the browsers of users who access the affected pages. The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to submit crafted input through vulnerable forms, which then persist on the server. When a victim visits the compromised page, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially allowing theft of session cookies, user credentials, or manipulation of displayed content. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.4, indicating medium severity, with the vector string AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N. This means the attack can be performed remotely over the network with low privileges but requires user interaction (e.g., victim visiting the page). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. While no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of stored XSS vulnerabilities makes them attractive for targeted phishing or session hijacking campaigns. Adobe has not yet released patches for this vulnerability, so organizations must rely on interim mitigations. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which covers improper neutralization of input during web page generation. Given AEM's widespread use in enterprise content management, exploitation could impact confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-64612 can be significant, especially for those relying on Adobe Experience Manager for managing public-facing websites or intranet portals. Exploitation could lead to theft of sensitive user information such as authentication tokens, enabling attackers to impersonate users or escalate privileges. This can result in unauthorized access to internal resources, data breaches, or defacement of web content, damaging organizational reputation and trust. The vulnerability does not directly affect availability but compromises confidentiality and integrity. Organizations in sectors like finance, government, healthcare, and media, which often use AEM for content delivery, are particularly at risk. Additionally, the cross-site scripting nature facilitates phishing and social engineering attacks, increasing the attack surface. The requirement for user interaction and low privileges lowers the bar for exploitation, making it feasible for attackers to target employees or customers. The scope change indicates that the impact may extend beyond the immediate vulnerable component, potentially affecting other integrated systems or services within the AEM environment.

To mitigate CVE-2025-64612, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Monitor Adobe's security advisories closely and apply official patches or updates for AEM as soon as they become available. 2) In the interim, enforce strict input validation and sanitization on all form fields, especially those exposed to external users, to prevent malicious script injection. 3) Implement robust output encoding practices to ensure that any user-supplied data rendered on web pages is properly escaped. 4) Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts and reduce the risk of XSS exploitation. 5) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web application vulnerabilities, including stored XSS. 6) Educate users and administrators about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or submitting untrusted content. 7) Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with updated rulesets that can detect and block common XSS attack patterns targeting AEM. 8) Review and limit privileges for users who can submit content to minimize the potential for malicious input. 9) Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the impact of stolen credentials resulting from XSS attacks. 10) Maintain comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect anomalous activities related to content submission and user sessions.