Key points
- The vulnerability carries a CVSS score of 9.1, classified as critical severity by the National Vulnerability Database.
- Exploitation requires high-privilege access but does not need user interaction or clicks.
- Affected versions include AEM as a Cloud Service up to 2026.9.28187 and AEM 6.5 LTS up to SP3.
A critical flaw in Adobe Experience Manager allows attackers with high privileges to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. According to the National Vulnerability Database record for CVE-2026-106626, the issue stems from improper input validation. This weakness enables code execution in the context of the current user. Security teams must assess their exposure because the attack does not require any user interaction. The vulnerability affects both cloud-based and on-premises deployments of the content management platform.
By the numbers
- 9.1: The CVSS severity score assigned to CVE-2026-106626 by the NVD.
- 2026.9.28187: The highest affected version for Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service.
- 6.5.25: The highest affected version for standard Adobe Experience Manager 6.5 releases.
What the figures mean
The 9.1 CVSS score indicates a critical risk that demands immediate attention from security operations teams. The NVD record specifies that the scope of the vulnerability is changed, which typically implies cross-boundary exploitation potential. The weakness is categorized under CWE-20, Improper Input Validation. This means the application fails to properly sanitize data before processing it. Attackers with high privileges can leverage this gap to run arbitrary code. The lack of required user interaction makes the threat vector more dangerous than those requiring phishing or social engineering.
What to watch
Organizations running Adobe Experience Manager must verify their current version against the affected list. The NVD record explicitly names AEM as a Cloud Service versions up to 2026.9.28187 as vulnerable. On-premises installations of AEM 6.5 LTS are affected up to Service Pack 3. Standard AEM 6.5 installations are vulnerable up to version 6.5.25. Teams should audit their environments to identify any instances running these older builds. High-privilege accounts should be reviewed for unnecessary access rights. Monitoring for unusual code execution patterns is essential while assessing patch availability.
Infection and persistence in general
Teams usually investigate how this category of malware arrives through compromised credentials or misconfigured administrative interfaces. Persistence often involves creating new user accounts or modifying system files to maintain access. Analysts examine process trees to identify parent-child relationships that indicate malicious execution.
They check scheduled tasks and startup folders for unauthorized entries. Network logs are reviewed for outbound connections to command-and-control servers. File integrity monitoring helps detect changes to critical binaries. Teams also look for anomalies in database queries that might indicate data exfiltration or further lateral movement within the network.
Background: Input validation
Input validation is the process of checking that data meets strict format, type, length, and range requirements before processing. It prevents injection attacks and logic bugs by ensuring the system only handles expected values. This defense operates at the application layer, complementing network controls and secure coding practices.
Read the full guide: Input Validation: How to Stop Bad Data at the Border
What to do and how to stay safe: Adobe Experience Manager
- Audit all Adobe Experience Manager instances to confirm they are not running the affected versions listed in the NVD record.
- Restrict high-privilege access to administrative interfaces and enforce strict authentication policies for these accounts.
- Monitor server logs for unauthorized code execution attempts or unusual input patterns that could signal exploitation.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact if a high-privilege account is compromised.
Step-by-step guide: Patch Management Implementation: A Step-by-Step Rollout Plan
General security guidance from the Sandbox Gazette newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-106626?
It is an Improper Input Validation vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
Does exploiting this flaw require user interaction?
No, the NVD record states that exploitation does not require user interaction.
Which versions of Adobe Experience Manager are affected?
AEM as a Cloud Service up to 2026.9.28187, AEM 6.5 LTS up to SP3, and AEM 6.5 up to 6.5.25.
