CVE-2025-64817 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 6.5.23 and earlier. This vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization of user input in certain form fields, allowing a low-privileged attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored persistently on the server. When other users access the affected page containing the malicious input, the injected script executes in their browsers within the security context of the vulnerable web application. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or manipulation of the web interface. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.4, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low privileges and user interaction (victim must visit the compromised page). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect components beyond the initially vulnerable one. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated low, while availability is not impacted. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates interim mitigations such as input validation and Content Security Policy enforcement. Adobe Experience Manager is widely used by enterprises for managing digital content and web portals, making this vulnerability relevant for organizations relying on AEM for their web presence.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-64817 can be significant, especially for those using Adobe Experience Manager to manage public-facing websites or intranet portals. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized script execution in users’ browsers, potentially resulting in session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of legitimate users. This can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive corporate or customer data. Additionally, exploitation could damage organizational reputation and trust, particularly if customer data or internal communications are exposed. Since AEM is often used by government agencies, financial institutions, and large enterprises in Europe, the risk extends to critical sectors. The vulnerability requires user interaction but can be triggered by simply visiting a compromised page, increasing the likelihood of impact. Although availability is not directly affected, the indirect consequences of data breaches or unauthorized access could lead to operational disruptions and regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is involved.

1. Monitor Adobe’s official channels for patches addressing CVE-2025-64817 and apply them immediately upon release. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all form fields to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 3. Employ robust output encoding techniques to ensure that user-supplied data is safely rendered in web pages. 4. Configure Content Security Policies (CSP) to restrict the execution of untrusted scripts and reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on web application vulnerabilities, including XSS. 6. Educate developers and content managers on secure coding practices and the risks of XSS. 7. Use web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. 8. Limit privileges for users who can submit content to the minimum necessary to reduce the attack surface. 9. Monitor web logs and user activity for unusual behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. 10. Consider isolating critical AEM instances or sensitive content behind additional authentication or network segmentation.