Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
CVE-2026-48359 is a critical-severity improper restriction of XML external entity reference vulnerability in Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service from Adobe, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service versions: 2026.5.0 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 63% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on helpx.adobe.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe | Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service | 2026.5.0 and earlier | Not stated |
| Adobe | Adobe Experience Manager 6.5 LTS | SP2 and earlier | Not stated |
| Adobe | Adobe Experience Manager 6.5 | 6.5.25 and earlier | Not stated |
| Adobe | Experience Manager | 6.5.25.0 and earlier; 2020.5.0 and earlier; 6.5 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (adobe.com).
Official description
Adobe Experience Manager is affected by an Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference ('XXE') vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive files, 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.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
The product processes an XML document that can contain XML entities with URIs that resolve to documents outside of the intended sphere of control, causing the product to embed incorrect documents into its output.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Many XML parsers and validators can be configured to disable external entity expansion.
More Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities (CWE-611)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
Recent Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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