CVE-2026-102788 in Gridbox Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2026
Joomla Extension - balbooa.com - Unauthenticated SQL injection in Gridbox < 2.20.4.2 - On store product list pages, the value of the sort-by URL parameter is retrieved using a string filter and passed directly to GridboxHelper::getBlogPosts(). When the parameter does not match known sorting keys, it is prefixed with a table alias and inserted into the ORDER BY clause without checking against an allowlist
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2026
The vulnerability identified in Joomla extensions developed by balbooa.com, specifically within versions of Gridbox prior to 2.20.4.2, represents a critical unauthenticated SQL injection flaw located on store product list pages. This security defect arises from improper input validation and sanitization practices when handling user-supplied data for sorting functionality. The core technical issue lies in the processing of the sort-by URL parameter, which is intended to determine the order in which products are displayed to end users. Instead of validating this input against a strict allowlist of permissible column names or predefined sorting keys, the application employs a weak string filter that merely checks if the value matches known safe options. When an attacker provides a custom value that does not match these expected keys, the system proceeds to prefix it with a database table alias and injects it directly into the SQL ORDER BY clause without further verification.
This architectural flaw allows any unauthenticated user to manipulate the underlying database query structure by injecting arbitrary SQL code through the sort parameter. Because the input is concatenated directly into the query string after being prefixed, an attacker can close the existing column reference and append malicious commands such as UNION SELECT statements or boolean-based blind injection payloads. The lack of proper allowlisting means that even if the initial filter rejects obvious keywords like DROP or DELETE, more sophisticated techniques involving comment characters, whitespace manipulation, or encoding tricks can bypass these rudimentary checks. This results in a classic SQL injection vulnerability where the database engine executes commands unintended by the application logic, potentially exposing sensitive data stored within the Joomla database including user credentials, personal information, and configuration details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its unauthenticated nature. Attackers do not require valid login credentials or any form of authentication to exploit this flaw, significantly lowering the barrier for entry. By leveraging this SQL injection vector, an adversary can extract data from arbitrary tables within the database, modify existing records, or in some configurations with sufficient privileges and specific database engine settings, execute operating system commands via stored procedures or file write functions. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application and its underlying data store. For e-commerce sites running Gridbox, this could lead to direct financial loss through theft of customer payment information, reputational damage from public exposure of sensitive data, and potential defacement or disruption of service if destructive commands are executed.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action is required by upgrading the Gridbox extension to version 2.20.4.2 or later, where the developers have implemented proper input validation mechanisms. The fix involves enforcing a strict allowlist for all sorting parameters, ensuring that only predefined column names and sort directions are accepted from user input. If an upgrade is not immediately feasible, administrators should implement web application firewall rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in URL parameters, particularly targeting the specific parameter associated with product listing sorts. Additionally, applying the principle of least privilege to the database account used by the Joomla installation can limit the potential damage if exploitation occurs, ensuring that the database user does not have permissions for dangerous operations such as file system access or executing stored procedures. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on dynamic query construction are essential preventive measures against similar injection flaws in future development cycles.