CVE-2023-48541 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier are affected by a Cross-site Scripting (DOM-based XSS) vulnerability. An attacker with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a user into visiting a malicious URL that references a vulnerable page, allowing the execution of malicious JavaScript content within the victim's browser.

Understanding CVE-2023-48541

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2023-48541 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-48541?

CVE-2023-48541 is a Cross-site Scripting (DOM-based XSS) vulnerability affecting Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier. It allows attackers to execute malicious JavaScript in a victim's browser by manipulating URLs.

The Impact of CVE-2023-48541

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM severity. An attacker can take advantage of this flaw to execute arbitrary code within the context of the user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-48541

This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-48541, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the

libs/dam/components/configurations/dm/youtube/edit/clientlibs/js/edit.js

file of Adobe Experience Manager. It allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser, posing a significant security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Experience Manager versions 6.5.18 and earlier are confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability. Users of these versions are advised to take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2023-48541 by crafting URLs that reference specific vulnerable pages within the affected Adobe Experience Manager versions. Upon visiting these URLs, users unknowingly execute the malicious JavaScript code, enabling attackers to compromise their browsers.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems and mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-48541, certain immediate steps and long-term security practices should be followed.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are recommended to implement the following measures:

Apply the security patch provided by Adobe immediately.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious URLs.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, it is vital to:

Regularly update Adobe Experience Manager to the latest secure versions.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released a security advisory addressing CVE-2023-48541. Users are advised to visit the official Adobe website to access the necessary security patch for Adobe Experience Manager.