Detect Widget Factory Joomla Content Editor Improper Access Control (CVE-2026-48907) in Microsoft Sentinel
Detects exploitation of CVE-2026-48907, an improper access control vulnerability (CWE-284) in the Joomla Content Editor (JCE) plugin by Widget Factory. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild (CISA KEV) and allows attackers to bypass access controls, potentially enabling unauthorized file uploads, remote code execution, or administrative actions within Joomla CMS installations.
MITRE ATT&CK
KQL Detection Query
union isfuzzy=true
(
CommonSecurityLog
| where TimeGenerated >= ago(24h)
| where RequestURL has_any ("/index.php?option=com_jce", "/plugins/editors/jce", "/components/com_jce")
| where RequestURL has_any ("task=plugin", "task=upload", "task=save", "view=editor")
| where RequestMethod in ("POST", "PUT")
| extend UserAgent = tostring(RequestClientApplication)
| where ResponseCode in (200, 201, 302)
| project TimeGenerated, SourceIP, DestinationHostName, RequestURL, RequestMethod, ResponseCode, UserAgent, Activity
),
(
W3CIISLog
| where TimeGenerated >= ago(24h)
| where csUriStem has_any ("/index.php", "/components/com_jce", "/plugins/editors/jce")
| where csUriQuery has_any ("option=com_jce", "task=plugin", "task=upload")
| where csMethod in ("POST", "PUT")
| where scStatus in (200, 201, 302)
| project TimeGenerated, cIP, csHost, csUriStem, csUriQuery, csMethod, scStatus, csUserAgent
)
| summarize RequestCount = count(), UniqueURLs = dcount(RequestURL), StatusCodes = make_set(ResponseCode) by SourceIP, bin(TimeGenerated, 5m)
| where RequestCount > 3
| order by RequestCount descDetects suspicious HTTP requests targeting Joomla Content Editor (JCE) plugin endpoints associated with CVE-2026-48907 access control bypass. Monitors for POST/PUT requests to JCE-specific paths with task parameters indicative of exploitation, clustered by source IP.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate JCE administrators uploading content or managing files through the editor interface
- Automated content management tools or CMS deployment scripts interacting with JCE endpoints
- Vulnerability scanners or web application firewalls probing Joomla installations during authorized security assessments
Other platforms for CVE-2026-48907
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Unauthenticated JCE Plugin Task Enumeration
Expected signal: HTTP 200 response to unauthenticated POST request targeting com_jce plugin task endpoint; web server access log entry with POST method, 200 status, and option=com_jce in query string
- Test 2JCE File Upload via Access Control Bypass
Expected signal: Multipart POST request to com_jce imgmanager upload endpoint; filesystem write event in Joomla images directory; PHP process creating new file in web-accessible path
- Test 3JCE Administrator Action Impersonation via Access Control Bypass
Expected signal: POST request to JCE task endpoint returning 200 with directory listing or JCE interface content rather than 403/401 response; web server access log confirming successful response to unauthenticated request
References (5)
- https://www.joomlacontenteditor.net/news/jce-security-update-and-a-free-patch-for-older-sites
- https://www.joomlacontenteditor.net/support/changelog/editor
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-48907
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