CVE-2025-64853 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) versions 6.5.23 and earlier. Stored XSS occurs when an attacker injects malicious scripts into web application fields that are persistently stored and later rendered in users' browsers. In this case, low-privileged attackers can exploit vulnerable form fields within AEM to insert malicious JavaScript code. When other users visit the affected pages, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have some level of access to submit data (low privilege) and requires user interaction (visiting the infected page). The CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.4 reflects a medium severity, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges and user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which is a common and well-understood web application security issue. Adobe Experience Manager is widely used by enterprises and public sector organizations for managing digital content and websites, making this vulnerability significant for organizations relying on AEM for their web presence.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data. Exploitation could lead to session hijacking, unauthorized actions performed in the context of authenticated users, theft of sensitive information, or defacement of web content. Organizations using AEM to manage public-facing websites or intranet portals may face reputational damage and potential regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if user data is compromised. The impact is heightened for sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure where AEM is used extensively. While availability is not directly affected, the indirect consequences of exploitation, such as loss of trust and operational disruptions, can be significant. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is not critical, it should not be ignored, especially given the widespread use of AEM in Europe.

1. Apply patches or updates from Adobe as soon as they become available to address CVE-2025-64853. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all form fields to prevent injection of malicious scripts. 3. Use context-aware output encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding) when rendering user-supplied data in web pages. 4. Restrict the ability to submit data to trusted users or roles where possible, minimizing exposure to low-privileged attackers. 5. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 6. Monitor web application logs and user activity for signs of suspicious input or anomalous behavior. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on XSS vulnerabilities. 8. Educate developers and administrators on secure coding practices related to XSS prevention. 9. Consider implementing web application firewalls (WAF) with rules tuned to detect and block XSS payloads targeting AEM. 10. Review and harden AEM configurations to minimize attack surface and disable unnecessary features that accept user input.