CVE-2021-26038 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-26038, a vulnerability in Joomla! CMS that allows privilege escalation through com_installer.

Understanding CVE-2021-26038

This section explores the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-26038.

What is CVE-2021-26038?

CVE-2021-26038 is a security issue discovered in Joomla! CMS versions 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. It involves a lack of required ACL checks for superusers during the install action in com_installer.

The Impact of CVE-2021-26038

The vulnerability can lead to privilege escalation as superusers are not subjected to necessary ACL checks. Default systems are not affected as the default ACL for com_installer limits access to super users.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-26038

This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises due to the absence of hardcoded ACL checks for superusers during the install action in com_installer in Joomla! CMS versions 2.5.0 through 3.9.27.

Affected Systems and Versions

Joomla! CMS versions 2.5.0 through 3.9.27 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges within the Joomla! CMS environment.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to secure systems and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-26038.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Joomla! Project promptly.
Restrict access to com_installer to only authorized users.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Joomla! CMS to the latest secure versions.
Monitor security advisories from Joomla! Project for any new vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all Joomla! CMS installations are up-to-date with the latest patches and security fixes.