CVE-2026-78075 in Helix Ultimate Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2026
Joomla Extension - joomshaper.com - Broken Object-Level Authorization in Blog Image Deletion in Helix Ultimate < 2.2.10 - `Blog::remove_image()` checked whether the user was authorized to edit the article ID passed in the request, but did not verify whether the specified image path (src) belonged to that article. On Joomla 3 builds where physical file deletion was triggered, an author could supply their own article ID alongside an arbitrary file path under the `/images/` directory to delete arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2026
The vulnerability identified in Helix Ultimate versions prior to 2.2.10 represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the Joomla content management system ecosystem. Specifically, this flaw is classified as Broken Object-Level Authorization, which aligns with CWE-639 in the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy. The core technical issue resides in the `Blog::remove_image()` function, where the developer implemented an authorization check that only validated whether the requesting user had permission to edit a specific article ID provided in the HTTP request parameters. This approach assumes a direct and immutable correlation between the article identifier and its associated media assets, a security anti-pattern that fails under adversarial conditions.
During normal operation, this function is intended to remove an image linked to a particular blog post after verifying user permissions for that post. However, the implementation lacks any secondary validation step to ensure that the file path specified in the `src` parameter actually belongs to or resides within the directory structure of the article identified by the ID. This logical gap allows an authenticated attacker with author-level privileges on at least one Joomla article to manipulate the request parameters independently. By supplying a valid article ID for which they have edit rights, while simultaneously substituting the image path with an arbitrary file location under the `/images/` directory or other accessible web directories, the attacker can bypass intended restrictions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for Arbitrary File Deletion, categorized as CWE-73 in industry standards. On Joomla 3 builds where physical file deletion operations are enabled and properly configured on the server side, an attacker can exploit this flaw to permanently delete critical system files, configuration backups, or other users' media assets. This capability leads directly to Denial of Service conditions by rendering website content inaccessible or corrupting site functionality. Furthermore, if sensitive information is stored in deletable directories, such as database dumps or cached data, the integrity and confidentiality of the entire web application are compromised. The attack requires no complex exploitation techniques beyond crafting a specific HTTP request with manipulated parameters, making it highly accessible to attackers who have obtained basic authentication credentials for low-privilege accounts.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary defense is upgrading Helix Ultimate to version 2.2.10 or later, where the developers have presumably implemented proper object-level validation to ensure that requested file paths are strictly bound to the authorized article context. For environments unable to upgrade immediately, administrators should restrict write permissions on critical directories and disable physical file deletion features if they are not essential for site operations. Additionally, implementing strict input validation and canonicalization checks in custom extensions can prevent path traversal or unauthorized resource access. From a defensive posture perspective, this vulnerability maps to the ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery when used in conjunction with T1485 Data Destruction, highlighting the need for robust logging and monitoring of file system changes triggered by web application actions.