CVE-2021-43764 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Adobe Experience Manager Stored XSS in the Spin Set

Understanding CVE-2021-43764

AEM's Cloud Service offering, as well as version 6.5.10.0 (and below) are affected by a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability that could be abused by an attacker to inject malicious scripts into vulnerable form fields. Malicious JavaScript may be executed in a victim’s browser when they browse to the page containing the vulnerable field.

What is CVE-2021-43764?

CVE-2021-43764 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), specifically in the Spin Set component. It allows attackers to insert malicious scripts into vulnerable form fields, leading to potential script execution in users' browsers.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43764

The vulnerability has a High severity impact, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It requires a low level of privileges from the attacker and user interaction to be exploited, making it a significant security concern.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43764

Vulnerability Description

The stored XSS vulnerability in Adobe Experience Manager enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into susceptible form fields. This allows them to execute harmful JavaScript code in the browsers of unsuspecting users accessing the compromised page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Experience Manager
Vendor: Adobe
Versions affected:
Experience Manager version <= 6.5.10.0 (custom)
Experience Manager version <= None (custom)

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker manipulates vulnerable form fields within AEM to insert malicious scripts, which are then executed in users' browsers when they view the compromised content.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Patch or update Adobe Experience Manager to a non-vulnerable version.
Regularly monitor and audit web application content for any suspicious activity.
Implement content security policies to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Provide security training to developers to write secure code and prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing on web applications.
Stay informed about the latest security updates and best practices in web application security.
Regularly backup critical data and monitor for any unusual activities that may indicate a security breach.

Patching and Updates

Update to the latest version of Adobe Experience Manager to ensure that the XSS vulnerability is addressed and no longer exploitable.