AEM QueryBuilder Security Misconfiguration Scanner
This scanner detects the use of AEM QueryBuilder Security Misconfiguration in digital assets. It identifies vulnerabilities that allow unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive data, including password hashes, potentially leading to credential compromise and account takeover.
Short Info
Level
Single Scan
Single Scan
Can be used by
Asset Owner
Estimated Time
10 seconds
Time Interval
20 days 13 hours
Scan only one
Domain, Subdomain, IPv4
Toolbox
The Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is widely used by businesses and organizations for digital asset management, content creation, and online marketing initiatives. It is often employed in enterprise environments where users manage online experiences, digital forms, and media content, thus involving various stakeholders including content creators, marketers, and IT professionals. With its extensive deployment capabilities, AEM is integral in providing personalized web experiences and is utilized by digital marketing teams worldwide. Its capabilities include managing website content, digital assets, and creating marketing campaigns. Because of its diverse functionalities, AEM often interfaces with several business systems, making it crucial in the digital strategies of organizations. Ensuring the robustness and security of AEM installations is paramount, especially given its role in managing sensitive content and user data.
The detected vulnerability pertains to the AEM QueryBuilder endpoint, which can allow unauthorized attackers to access sensitive data, including password hashes. This vulnerability exposes the backend data repository through insufficient access controls, leading to unauthorized data extraction. As a result, details such as bcrypt or SHA-256 password hashes can be potentially retrieved, posing risks to credential safety. With such information, attackers might be able to orchestrate account takeover attacks or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The exploitation involves sending crafted requests to the QueryBuilder endpoint to bypass authentication mechanisms. Effective recognition and mitigation of this security flaw are essential to protect user credentials from potential compromise.
At its core, the vulnerability allows access to sensitive areas of the QueryBuilder's JSON API, notably under conditions where user data should remain secure. Specifically, attackers can target endpoints such as `/home/users` and probe for the `rep:password` field, effectively digging out password hashes. The flaw is already substantiated by observed security misconfigurations, permitting unrestricted paths like `/bin/querybuilder.json`. The technique involves constructing specific queries that exploit the misconfigured authorization controls of the API, which can return sensitive user data under certain request formats. The vulnerability hinges on insufficient input validation and oversight of API request pathways, making predefined authentication bypass strategies viable for attackers.
If left unchecked, this vulnerability might lead to severe data breaches, impacting both the organization and its users. Possible effects include unauthorized access to user accounts, leading to potential data theft, identity theft, and financial ramifications for affected parties. Malicious actors could exploit the vulnerability to manipulate user credentials, resulting in compromised user data integrity and unauthorized system access. In a broader context, this could diminish user trust in the organization's digital services, affect compliance with data protection regulations, and potentially result in litigations or reputational damage. It underscores the importance of securing backend systems against unauthorized access.
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