CVE-2026-65765 in Commander Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2026
Joomla Extension - phoca.cz - Path Traversal vulnerability in Phoca Commander 1.0.0-6.1.1 - Improper limitation of paths for save and download actions lead to path traversal vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2026
The Joomla extension Phoca Commander version 1.0.0 through 6.1.1 contains a critical path traversal vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to access files outside the intended directory structure. This vulnerability specifically affects the save and download functionality within the extension, where improper input validation and path handling enables attackers to manipulate file system access through crafted requests. The flaw stems from inadequate restriction of file paths during file operations, creating opportunities for adversaries to navigate beyond the designated directories and potentially access sensitive system files or configuration data.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security issue in file system access controls. The path traversal occurs when user-supplied input is directly used in file operations without proper sanitization or validation of directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that could allow access to files outside the intended scope. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that include these traversal sequences, effectively bypassing normal file access restrictions and gaining unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides potential attackers with the ability to download arbitrary files from the server filesystem, including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive data. This exposure can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors, as attackers may obtain administrative credentials, encryption keys, or other critical information that could facilitate further exploitation. The vulnerability affects any user with access to the Phoca Commander extension functionality, including authenticated users who may not have elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected Joomla extension to version 6.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for path traversal issues. Administrators should also implement proper input validation and sanitization for all file operations, ensuring that user-supplied paths are properly checked against allowed directories before any file system access occurs. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and restricting file upload/download capabilities to only authorized users can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist in the system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through path traversal attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where attackers can leverage multiple attack vectors to gain deeper access to systems.