CVE-2026-74804 in Zoo Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2026
Joomla Extension - yootheme.com - Unauthenticated SQL injection in ItemController::element() in Zoo < 4.1.64 - The filter_type request value is interpolated into the query as a.type = "..." and the type_filter array as a.type IN ("..."), with no quoting or escaping.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2026
The vulnerability identified in YOOtheme ZOO, specifically within versions prior to 4.1.64, represents a critical unauthenticated SQL injection flaw located in the ItemController::element() method. This component is widely used for content management and extension development on Joomla platforms, making its compromise potentially impactful across numerous websites. The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of user-supplied input within database query construction logic. Specifically, the filter_type request parameter is directly interpolated into SQL statements without any form of sanitization or escaping. This lack of validation allows an attacker to inject arbitrary SQL code that will be executed by the underlying database management system with the privileges of the web application process.
The technical mechanism of exploitation involves manipulating two specific input vectors: the filter_type string and the type_filter array. In standard operation, these inputs are intended to define content filtering criteria, resulting in queries such as a.type = "..." or a.type IN ("..."). However, because the framework fails to quote or escape these values before inclusion in the query structure, an attacker can break out of the expected string context. By injecting malicious SQL syntax into either parameter, it is possible to alter the logic of the database query. This could allow for unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion from the Joomla database. The absence of authentication requirements means that this vulnerability can be exploited by any remote user with network access to the target site, significantly lowering the barrier for entry and increasing the likelihood of successful attacks in automated scanning environments.
From a classification perspective, this flaw aligns directly with CWE-89, which covers Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The specific nature of this vulnerability also relates to CWE-20, where improper input validation allows for the injection of malicious payloads. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this exploit maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1190, Exploit Public-Facing Application, and potentially T1059 if further command execution is achieved through stacked queries or out-of-band data exfiltration techniques supported by the specific database engine in use. The unauthenticated nature of the flaw places it firmly within the initial access phase of an attack lifecycle, often serving as a foothold for subsequent privilege escalation or lateral movement within the target infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for full system compromise depending on the database configuration and permissions granted to the web application user account. If the database user has elevated privileges, such as FILE or SUPER rights in MySQL/MariaDB environments, an attacker could potentially write files to the server filesystem or execute operating system commands via SQL functions like INTO OUTFILE or xp_cmdshell equivalents. Even without these high-level privileges, successful exploitation can lead to significant data breaches involving sensitive customer information, user credentials stored in plaintext or weakly hashed formats, and proprietary content managed by the ZOO extension. This undermines the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the affected Joomla installation, potentially resulting in regulatory non-compliance under standards like GDPR or PCI DSS if personal or payment data is exposed.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action must be taken to update the YOOtheme ZOO extension to version 4.1.64 or later, where the developers have implemented proper input sanitization and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. For organizations unable to patch immediately due to compatibility constraints, temporary mitigations should include deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically designed to detect and block SQL injection patterns in request parameters related to ZOO filtering. Additionally, restricting database user permissions to the principle of least privilege can limit the potential damage if an exploitation attempt succeeds. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on database interaction layers are recommended to identify similar vulnerabilities across other extensions or custom modules within the Joomla ecosystem.