AEM Security Hardening Is Fundamental to Protecting Enterprises

In Brief

• Reduced vulnerabilities through security hardening.

• Ensured better protection against potential threats through future proofing, continuous compliance monitoring, Role Based Access Control (RBAC), and Single Sign On (SSO).

• Prevented security vulnerabilities by increasing the security of its authoring infrastructure and public website touchpoints. 

Business Challenge 

Vulnerabilities in AEM had accumulated over time and security assessments identified multiple weaknesses that exposed the system to significant risks, such as:

• Brute force vulnerabilities that open doors for unauthorised access attempts.

• Admin credential risks that create potential for internal and external credential interception.

• Compliance blind spots that are caused by inconsistent access management and authentication protocols.

• Potential data breach scenarios from multiple attack vectors threatening sensitive information.

Additional security gaps created opportunities for spoofing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and accidental passwords and proprietary code exposure.

As Adobe AEM specialists with intimate knowledge of the client’s environment, Vervio had previously assisted by implementing fixes and patches where appropriate. After a couple of minor incidents and with the upcoming decommissioning of the Active Directory Federation Service (ADFS), Vervio proposed a joint AEM security hardening project.

It would include the ADFS Decommissioning and Migration to Active Directory SSO and other security hardening initiatives that would reduce vulnerabilities, protect against potential threats and ensure the overall integrity and safety of the AEM system.

The project was delivered across five months, with the final go-live in October 2024. 

Solution 

The project was broken down and delivered over three core strategic pillars.

1. Creating a more secure digital infrastructure

   To reduce the risk of exposure of sensitive information and query builder attacks, Vervio identified, grouped, refactored and restructured AEM’s Dispatcher configurations, significantly eliminating accumulated technical debt in the process. The team implemented rigorous AEM Publisher security measures, establishing strict access controls and robust authentication protocols, and ensured alignment with the Adobe Security Checklist. ADFS was also decommissioned, and the organisation was migrated to AD SSO (SSO AEM Authentication).

2. Evolving identity and access management 

   Vervio undertook a radical simplification of user roles, consolidating 200+ to 50 roles reducing the potential attack surface. By implementing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), the enterprise could precisely control and monitor user permissions. Single Sign-On (SSO) with two-factor authentication becoming mandatory which removed the ability for users to escalate their own privileges. The solution created a unified and secure authentication mechanism by seamlessly integrating with the enterprise corporate identity governance and administration platform.

3. Continuous monitoring and compliance

   Security is an ongoing process, so Vervio established a robust framework for continuous monitoring and compliance. Comprehensive security testing capabilities were implemented to continuously assess for potential vulnerabilities, A streamlined User Access Review (UAR) process made maintaining and auditing user permissions easier. Finally, an additional layer of security to the communication between author and publisher systems through mandating SAML-only authentication delivered  a more resilient and transparent security environment.

Outcomes - A More Responsive & Adaptable Security Framework

The project enabled the enterprise to improve its digital resilience through a comprehensive approach to security enhancement.

Potential points of vulnerability were minimised by dramatically consolidating and simplifying user access. The enterprise has a more manageable and controlled access environment after reducing the complexity of its user roles by 75%. Stricter restrictions on anonymous user permissions have effectively closed potential backdoors that unauthorised actors could exploit. The introduction of context-based access grouping has added a layer of security, ensuring that access permissions are contextually intelligent and precisely aligned with organisational needs.

The newly streamlined process enables easier onboarding and offboarding while creating a more efficient and secure workflow. The organisation has significantly improved accountability by implementing granular access controls, ensuring every user action can be precisely tracked and attributed. The new system also provides a robust mechanism for emergency access that maintains strict auditability, allowing critical interventions without compromising overall security.

By aligning with security best practices, the enterprise has an improved security posture built on a responsive and adaptable framework. 

Looking Ahead to AEM in the Cloud

While many of the vulnerabilities our client faced stemmed from operating AEM on-premise, the shift to AEM as a Cloud Service (AEMaaCS) removes only part of the challenge. AEMaaCS alleviates the burden of infrastructure patching and dispatcher management, but enterprise-level risks remain. These include identity governance, compliance, role complexity, and secure integrations. However, by addressing these issues early, organisations can enter the cloud journey with a simplified, compliant, and resilient security foundation - as our client did. This allows for a smoother migration to the cloud and delivers a more sustainable long-term operating model.

Technologies

• Adobe AEM Content Management System