Unauthenticated configuration disclosure via public query override
Published Feb 16, 2023 · Updated Feb 26, 2026
Improper access control in Joomla! CMS 4.0.0 through 4.2.7 allows remote attackers to read sensitive configuration through its web API. ApiRouter::parseApiRoute merges URL query parameters into route variables, so an attacker-supplied public=true value overrides the route's authentication setting. Internet or intranet access to the API is sufficient; disclosed configuration can include database, SMTP, Redis, and proxy credentials.
Summary
What happened
Improper access control in Joomla! CMS 4.0.0 through 4.2.7 allows remote attackers to read sensitive configuration through its web API. ApiRouter::parseApiRoute merges URL query parameters into route variables, so an attacker-supplied public=true value overrides the route's authentication setting. Internet or intranet access to the API is sufficient; disclosed configuration can include database, SMTP, Redis, and proxy credentials.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-23752
- Published
- Feb 16, 2023
- Updated
- Feb 26, 2026
- Vendor
- Joomla
- Product
- Joomla! CMS
- Classifications
- CWE-284, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 16, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 26, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=4.0.0 <=4.2.7
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
View daily counts
| Reporting day | Unique IPs |
|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2026 | 2 |
| Sep 11, 2026 | 1 |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Unavailable |
| Sep 13, 2026 | 3 |
| Sep 14, 2026 | 3 |
| Sep 15, 2026 | 1 |
| Sep 16, 2026 | 3 |
Public exploit references
- ProjectDiscovery Nuclei CVE-2023-23752 templatefunctional · validated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog listingknown exploited catalog
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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