Detect Widget Factory Joomla Content Editor Improper Access Control (CVE-2026-48907) in Splunk
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
SPL Detection Query
index=web OR index=proxy
| where earliest=-24h
| search (uri_path="*/index.php*" AND uri_query="*option=com_jce*") OR uri_path="*/components/com_jce*" OR uri_path="*/plugins/editors/jce*"
| search uri_query="*task=plugin*" OR uri_query="*task=upload*" OR uri_query="*task=save*" OR uri_query="*view=editor*"
| search http_method=POST OR http_method=PUT
| search status=200 OR status=201 OR status=302
| stats count AS request_count, dc(uri_query) AS unique_params, values(status) AS status_codes, values(uri_path) AS paths BY src_ip, span(1m,5m)
| where request_count > 3
| eval risk_score=case(request_count > 20, "critical", request_count > 10, "high", request_count > 3, "medium", true(), "low")
| table _time, src_ip, request_count, unique_params, status_codes, paths, risk_score
| sort -request_countDetects exploitation attempts against Joomla Content Editor plugin (CVE-2026-48907) by identifying clustered POST/PUT requests to JCE-specific URL paths and task parameters. Aggregates by source IP to surface both automated scanning and targeted exploitation.
Data Sources
Required Sourcetypes
False Positives & Tuning
- Content editors actively using JCE plugin for legitimate article publishing and file management
- Automated backup or migration tools that interact with Joomla component APIs
- Web crawlers or SEO tools that index Joomla CMS query parameters
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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Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-48907 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.