CVE-2024-54042 Overview
Adobe Connect versions 12.6, 11.4.7, and earlier contain a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability [CWE-79]. An unauthenticated attacker can craft a malicious URL that, when visited by a victim, executes arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser session. The flaw affects Adobe Connect web conferencing software and requires user interaction to trigger the exploit. Adobe published a security bulletin addressing the issue in December 2024.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation lets attackers execute JavaScript in a victim's browser context, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or arbitrary actions within the Adobe Connect application.
Affected Products
- Adobe Connect 12.6 and earlier
- Adobe Connect 11.4.7 and earlier
- Adobe Connect web conferencing platform (all supported deployments)
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-54042 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2024-12-10 - Adobe releases security bulletin APSB24-99
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-54042
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue affecting Adobe Connect. Reflected XSS occurs when user-supplied input in an HTTP request is returned in the server's response without proper output encoding or input sanitization. Attackers deliver the payload through a crafted URL and rely on social engineering to convince a victim to click the link.
Exploitation requires user interaction, and the attack occurs entirely within the victim's browser. Because the payload runs in the origin of the vulnerable Adobe Connect page, it can access cookies, tokens, and Document Object Model (DOM) content bound to that origin. The scope change in the underlying scoring reflects that impact can extend beyond the immediate application boundary through browser session context.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient neutralization of input during web page generation [CWE-79]. A vulnerable Adobe Connect page reflects attacker-controlled parameters back into the HTML response without contextual output encoding. Adobe's advisory does not identify the specific parameter or endpoint.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and unauthenticated but requires user interaction. An attacker constructs a URL that references a vulnerable Adobe Connect endpoint and embeds a JavaScript payload in a reflected parameter. The victim must visit the link, typically via phishing email, chat message, or malicious redirect. Once loaded, the injected script executes within the victim's browser under the Adobe Connect origin, enabling actions such as reading session cookies, submitting requests on the user's behalf, or redirecting to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-99 for vendor guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54042
Indicators of Compromise
- Adobe Connect web server logs containing request parameters with <script>, javascript:, onerror=, onload=, or URL-encoded equivalents such as %3Cscript%3E.
- Unusual referer headers pointing to external domains that redirect users into Adobe Connect URLs with long or obfuscated query strings.
- Browser telemetry showing script execution originating from unexpected Adobe Connect URLs immediately after email or messaging link clicks.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect Adobe Connect HTTP access logs for reflected parameters containing HTML or JavaScript metacharacters, particularly in GET requests.
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures that flag XSS payload patterns targeting Adobe Connect endpoints.
- Correlate email gateway telemetry with subsequent user browser activity to identify phishing lures that reference Adobe Connect hostnames.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) violation reporting to surface injected script attempts against Adobe Connect origins.
- Monitor authentication and session events in Adobe Connect for anomalies following user clicks on external links.
- Ingest web server, WAF, and endpoint browser logs into a centralized analytics platform to correlate reflected XSS attempts across users.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54042
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Adobe Connect security updates referenced in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-99 to all affected servers.
- Inventory Adobe Connect deployments and identify any instances running versions 12.6, 11.4.7, or earlier.
- Notify users of the phishing risk and reinforce guidance against clicking unsolicited Adobe Connect meeting links.
Patch Information
Adobe addressed CVE-2024-54042 in the security update described in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-99. Administrators should upgrade Adobe Connect to the fixed release version listed in the advisory. Adobe assigns this update a priority rating consistent with a medium-severity XSS issue affecting a networked web application.
Workarounds
- Deploy a WAF rule set that blocks common reflected XSS payload patterns targeting Adobe Connect URL parameters until patching is complete.
- Enforce a strict Content Security Policy on Adobe Connect responses to limit inline script execution and untrusted origins.
- Restrict Adobe Connect access to authenticated users on trusted networks where operationally feasible, reducing the phishing attack surface.
# Example WAF rule pattern to block reflected XSS payloads
# (adapt to your WAF syntax; illustrative only)
SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(<script|javascript:|onerror=|onload=)" \
"id:1005401,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'Potential XSS - CVE-2024-54042'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
