CVE-2017-20252
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2026
Joomla NextGen Editor 2.1.0 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through the plname parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to index.php with option=com_nge&view=config and inject malicious SQL code in the plname parameter to extract sensitive database information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2026
The Joomla NextGen Editor component version 2.1.0 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that represents a significant threat to web application security and database integrity. This vulnerability exists within the parameter handling mechanism of the plname parameter in the configuration view, specifically when processing requests to index.php with the option=com_nge&view=config parameters. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the database query execution flow without requiring any valid credentials or authentication tokens. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by remote threat actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted GET requests that manipulate the plname parameter to inject SQL commands into the backend database operations. When the application processes these requests, the unsanitized input gets directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization, enabling attackers to manipulate the database query structure and execute arbitrary commands. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be executed from any remote location, making it an ideal target for automated scanning and exploitation tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data extraction to include complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, session tokens, application configuration data, and other confidential database contents. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to the underlying database, potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete critical data, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors within the Joomla installation. This compromise can lead to full system infiltration and unauthorized control over the web application and its associated resources. The vulnerability's impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patch or upgrade to a patched version of the NextGen Editor component that properly sanitizes input parameters and implements proper SQL query parameterization. Organizations should also implement input validation controls at the application level, including proper escaping of special characters and the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns and blocking known malicious payloads. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other components and ensure comprehensive protection against SQL injection threats across the entire application stack.