Description

Adobe Experience Manager is affected by an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, potentially gaining elevated access or control over the victim's account or session. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction. Scope is changed.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "10.0",
  "pubDate": "2026-10-13T20:19:10.150Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-10-13T20:19:10.150Z",
  "executiveSummary": "Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is susceptible to an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability, categorized under improper access control mechanisms. This flaw permits unauthorized actors to execute arbitrary code within the security context of the current session, potentially resulting in full system compromise.\nThe vulnerability does not require user interaction, indicating a high degree of exploitability for remote attackers. Because the impact involves a change in scope, the exploit may transcend the intended security boundaries of the application, granting attackers elevated access or control over authenticated sessions.\nThe risk profile is critical due to the potential for remote code execution (RCE) without prerequisite interaction, which could facilitate unauthorized data exfiltration, service disruption, or complete system takeover. Organizations utilizing AEM must prioritize securing their environments against unauthorized privilege escalation through rigorous access control verification.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper enforcement of authorization checks within Adobe Experience Manager. By failing to validate the identity and permissions of the requester during specific transactional flows, the application allows unauthorized operations that should otherwise be restricted. This improper authorization serves as a vehicle for arbitrary code execution, as the application's underlying engine executes instructions submitted by the attacker, assuming they originate from a trusted or authorized context.\nThe exploitation process initiates when an attacker transmits a maliciously crafted request to an AEM endpoint that lacks adequate access control headers or session validation. Because the vulnerability involves a 'changed scope,' the exploitation bypasses the standard integrity and confidentiality boundaries of the component. Upon successfully reaching the vulnerable component, the application processes the attacker’s input as valid command or script execution, operating within the security context of the current user session. If the target session carries administrative or elevated privileges, the malicious payload inherits these permissions.\nThe attack flow follows a direct exploitation pattern: First, the attacker identifies a reachable, improperly secured interface within the AEM ecosystem. Second, the attacker bypasses authentication or authorization gates that typically serve to verify session validity. Third, the attacker injects an arbitrary payload—potentially leveraging native AEM functions or OS-level commands—which the system then executes. This execution occurs without the need for manual victim interaction, making the vulnerability highly efficient for automated scanning and exploitation.\nThe post-exploitation impact is severe. Since the code executes within the context of the current user, an attacker can manipulate application data, modify system configurations, or deploy persistent backdoors. If the current user session is associated with high-level administrative roles, the attacker effectively gains control over the AEM instance, facilitating lateral movement within the enterprise network or total infrastructure compromise."
}