EUVD-2026-40122
GHSA-xr7r-292v-jxg8
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessIdentify Joomla site with Helix3
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DeliverySend unauthenticated request to AJAX task handler
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ExploitBypass missing access control
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ExecutionDelete files or write JSON / alter template params
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ImpactSite corruption or defacement
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V8 - Authorization Access control enforcement
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Defense Evasion The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | The target must be a Joomla site running the Helix3 extension version 1.0 through 3.1.1 with the vulnerable AJAX handler task reachable over HTTP/HTTPS. Per the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), no special conditions are required beyond network reachability - remote unauthenticated exploitation works against default deployments of Helix3 where the AJAX endpoint is exposed; no authentication, no user interaction, and no non-default configuration are needed. Limiting factors: the site must actually have Helix3 installed and the endpoint must not be blocked by a WAF, IP allowlist, or upstream access control, and impact is constrained to integrity operations (file deletion, JSON file writes, template parameter changes) rather than direct code execution or data exfiltration. |
| Impact | The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N, score 7.5) and the description agree: this is network-reachable, low-complexity, and requires no privileges or user interaction, with high integrity impact and no stated confidentiality or availability impact. That consistency raises confidence in the network-unauthenticated assessment. CISA SSVC rates Exploitation as 'none' (no observed active exploitation), Automatable as 'yes' (the unauthenticated, scriptable endpoint can be sprayed across many targets), and Technical Impact as 'partial.' No EPSS score, no CISA KEV listing, and no published POC were provided, so there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis. One conflict worth flagging: the official vector scores A:N (no availability impact), yet the description explicitly allows deletion of arbitrary files, which can plausibly break a site and is arguably an availability impact the NVD vector understates - verify impact with the vendor. Net: a genuine priority for internet-exposed Joomla sites running Helix3 because it is unauthenticated and automatable, but real-world urgency is tempered by no evidence of active exploitation yet. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the exposed Helix3 AJAX task endpoint on a public Joomla site, with no login required, invoking the file-write or file-delete operation. They overwrite template parameter JSON to alter site behavior or delete critical files to deface or disrupt the site. Because the endpoint is automatable, the request can be scripted and fired at many Joomla/Helix3 sites at scale; no public POC is identified at time of analysis. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Jun 29, 2026
Improper access control in the Helix3 template framework extension for Joomla (versions 1.0 through 3.1.1) exposes an AJAX handler task that lets remote unauthenticated attackers delete arbitrary files, write arbitrary JSON files, and modify template parameters. Because the handler performs no authentication or authorization check, an attacker can corrupt site configuration or destroy files without credentials. There is no public exploit identified at time of analysis, but the issue is automatable per CISA SSVC and carries a CVSS 7.5 (High) due to its network-reachable, unauthenticated integrity impact.
RemediationAI
No vendor-released patch version is identified in the available data; affected versions are listed as 1.0 through 3.1.1, which implies a fixed release likely exists above 3.1.1, but no exact patched version is confirmed here, so upgrade to the latest Helix3 build published by JoomShaper and confirm the fix version directly with the vendor at https://www.joomshaper.com/ before relying on it. As a compensating control until patched, restrict or block external access to the Helix3 AJAX task endpoint at the web server or WAF layer (for example, deny anonymous requests to the option/task parameters used by Helix3's ajax handler), which prevents exploitation but may break legitimate template-builder AJAX functionality for administrators; alternatively, place template-management paths behind authentication or IP allowlisting, accepting that this reduces admin convenience. Monitor web logs for anonymous requests hitting the Helix3 ajax task and for unexpected file deletions or modified template JSON parameter files. Reference: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-49049.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
Helix3 is JoomShaper's widely used template/page-building framework for the Joomla CMS, installed as a system plugin/extension that ships theming and AJAX configuration endpoints. The flaw is classified as CWE-284 (Improper Access Control): an AJAX 'task' handler is reachable through Joomla's front-controller dispatch (typically index.php?option=...&task=...) without verifying the caller's identity or privileges. As a result, privileged template-management operations - file deletion, writing JSON parameter files, and updating template parameters - are exposed to anonymous requests. The affected component is identified by CPE cpe:2.3:a:joomshaper.com:helix3_extension_for_joomla:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*, with all versions from 1.0 up to and including 3.1.1 in scope.
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Unauthenticated network endpoint with no UI gives AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N; arbitrary file write/param change yields I:H, and arbitrary file deletion adds limited availability impact (A:L), no confidentiality.
Primary rating from Vendor (Joomla).
CVSS VectorVendor: Joomla
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
The Helix3 plugin for Joomla exposes an ajax handler task, that allows unauthenticated attackers to delete arbitrary files, write arbitrary JSON files and update template parameters.
Executive ViewAI
Joomla websites using the Helix3 template extension (versions 1.0-3.1.1) are vulnerable to unauthorized file deletion and configuration tampering by remote attackers without requiring any credentials. This affects any organization using this widely-deployed plugin, risking website unavailability, data loss, and operational disruption. No vendor patch exists yet, making immediate protective action essential.
No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigations: (1) Disable or uninstall the Helix3 extension if operationally feasible; (2) Implement WAF rules to block requests to the vulnerable AJAX handler; (3) Deploy file integrity monitoring (FIM) to detect unauthorized file modifications or deletions; (4) Segment network access to Joomla instances; (5) Maintain recent, tested backups for rapid recovery from file deletion or corruption.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
Vulnrichment
VulDB
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
Exploit-DB