CVE-2024-49550 Overview
CVE-2024-49550 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Adobe Connect web conferencing software. The flaw exists in Adobe Connect versions 12.6, 11.4.7, and earlier. An attacker who convinces a victim to click a crafted URL can execute malicious JavaScript in the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-79] (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation) and requires user interaction to trigger. Adobe published details in security advisory APSB24-99.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session data theft, credential harvesting, or unauthorized actions within Adobe Connect sessions.
Affected Products
- Adobe Connect 12.6 and earlier
- Adobe Connect 11.4.7 and earlier
- All prior unpatched Adobe Connect releases in the 11.x and 12.x branches
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-49550 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49550
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-49550 is a reflected XSS flaw in Adobe Connect's web interface. The application echoes unsanitized user-supplied input from URL parameters back into rendered HTML responses. When a victim visits a maliciously crafted URL, the browser interprets attacker-controlled data as executable JavaScript. The malicious script runs within the security context of the Adobe Connect origin, meaning it inherits access to session cookies, DOM content, and any authenticated API endpoints reachable from the victim's browser.
Exploitation requires user interaction. The attacker must lure the target through phishing emails, malicious links on external sites, or social engineering within collaboration channels. The scope-changed classification indicates the injected script can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, such as other browser contexts or trusted third-party integrations.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient output encoding of user-controlled parameters reflected into HTML responses. Adobe Connect fails to properly neutralize input containing HTML or JavaScript metacharacters before including that input in server-generated pages. Standard defenses such as contextual output encoding, Content Security Policy enforcement, and input validation were not applied consistently across the affected pages.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication. An attacker crafts a URL pointing to a vulnerable Adobe Connect page and embeds malicious JavaScript in a reflected parameter. The attacker delivers the URL through phishing, chat platforms, or embedded links. When the victim clicks the link, the vulnerable page reflects the payload into the response, and the browser executes the script. Consequences include session cookie theft, forced actions in the victim's authenticated session, and delivery of secondary payloads such as keyloggers or credential-harvesting forms.
See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-99 for vendor technical guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49550
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server logs containing Adobe Connect URLs with suspicious query parameters embedding <script>, javascript:, onerror=, or encoded HTML tags
- Unexpected outbound requests from user browsers to attacker-controlled domains following Adobe Connect page visits
- Session cookies or authentication tokens appearing in URL query strings or referrer headers sent to external hosts
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect query parameters on Adobe Connect endpoints for XSS payload signatures
- Monitor browser telemetry and endpoint logs for anomalous script execution originating from Adobe Connect domains
- Review URL access patterns for repeated requests carrying encoded HTML entities or JavaScript event handlers
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose HTTP access logging on Adobe Connect servers and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation
- Alert on user reports of unexpected browser prompts, redirects, or credential re-authentication requests within Adobe Connect sessions
- Correlate email gateway telemetry with Adobe Connect access logs to identify phishing campaigns delivering crafted URLs
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49550
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe Connect to the patched release identified in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-99
- Inventory all Adobe Connect deployments and confirm version numbers against the affected list
- Notify users to avoid clicking Adobe Connect links from untrusted sources until patching completes
Patch Information
Adobe released fixes for CVE-2024-49550 documented in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-99. Administrators should apply the vendor-supplied updates for Adobe Connect 12.6 and 11.4.7 branches according to Adobe's installation guidance. Verify patch application by checking the deployed build version against Adobe's release notes.
Workarounds
- Deploy a web application firewall with XSS payload signatures in front of Adobe Connect if immediate patching is not feasible
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy (CSP) at the reverse proxy layer to restrict inline script execution
- Educate users about phishing risks and instruct them to access Adobe Connect only through bookmarked or internally shared links
- Restrict Adobe Connect access to authenticated users on trusted networks via VPN or IP allowlisting where operationally viable
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
