Organisations at Risk: AEM Critical OS Injection Enables Remote Code Execution Without User Interaction

Organizations running Adobe Experience Manager face a critical security exposure that allows attackers with low-level privileges to execute arbitrary code. This flaw, identified as CVE-2026-103848, stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, leading to potential system compromise without user interaction.

What is the scope of this vulnerability?

The vulnerability affects specific versions of Adobe Experience Manager, a content management system widely used for digital experience management. According to the National Vulnerability Database, the flaw impacts Adobe Experience Manager 6.5 LTS up to Service Pack 3. It also affects Adobe Experience Manager 6.5 up to version 6.5.25.

How severe is the technical risk?

Security researchers rate this issue as critical, assigning it a CVSS score of 9.9. The weakness is categorized under CWE-78, which relates to OS command injection. The high severity rating reflects the potential for arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user, posing a significant threat to system integrity.

Can attackers exploit this remotely?

Yes, exploitation of this issue does not require any user interaction. An attacker with low privileges can trigger the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. This means that once an attacker gains initial access, even with limited permissions, they can leverage this flaw to escalate their capabilities or perform unauthorized actions on the system.

Is there a fix available yet?

No fix has been confirmed yet for this specific vulnerability in the available source material. Organizations running the affected versions should monitor official vendor channels for updates. Until a patch is released, limiting access and monitoring for unusual command executions are advisable measures to mitigate potential exploitation.

What analysts watch for

Teams usually examine system logs for unexpected command executions originating from low-privileged accounts. Analysts should check whether unusual processes are spawning from the content management service. Persistence mechanisms often involve creating new user accounts or modifying system files. Spread typically occurs by leveraging network access to other internal systems. Look for anomalous outbound connections or data exfiltration attempts that follow initial command injection activities.

Background: National Vulnerability Database

The National Vulnerability Database lists known flaws but lacks deployment context. Do not treat every entry as an immediate emergency. Cross-reference findings with your asset inventory and usage patterns to determine real risk, rather than reacting to every new identifier.

Read the full guide: National Vulnerability Database: Five Common Misreadings and Fixes

What to do and how to stay safe: Adobe

• Review access controls to limit low-privileged accounts to the minimum necessary permissions.
• Monitor system logs for unusual command executions or process spawns from the application.
• Segment networks to restrict the ability of compromised servers to communicate with sensitive internal systems.
• Prepare incident response plans that include steps for isolating affected systems once the vendor provides an update.

Step-by-step guide: How Vulnerability Scanning Works: The Hidden Mechanics and Limits

General security guidance from the Sandbox Desk newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

What versions of Adobe Experience Manager are affected by CVE-2026-103848?

Adobe Experience Manager 6.5 LTS up to SP3 and Adobe Experience Manager 6.5 up to 6.5.25 are affected.

Does exploiting this vulnerability require user interaction?

No, exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction, allowing remote code execution.

What is the CVSS score for this vulnerability?

The CVSS score for CVE-2026-103848 is 9.9, which is rated as critical.