CVE-2026-23898Network attack vectorHinoki check available

Arbitrary file deletion via unvalidated update path

Published Apr 1, 2026 · Updated Apr 1, 2026

File deletion in Joomla! CMS 4.0.0 through 5.4.3 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.3 allows remote authenticated users to delete server files. The autoupdate server mechanism accepts a file name or path without sufficient validation before deleting the referenced file; Joomla! has not disclosed the exact function or parameter. High-privilege access to the update mechanism is required, and deletion can remove data, alter the site, or interrupt service.

CVSS severity8.6
High
EPSS probability0.45%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkAvailable
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Summary

What happened

File deletion in Joomla! CMS 4.0.0 through 5.4.3 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.3 allows remote authenticated users to delete server files. The autoupdate server mechanism accepts a file name or path without sufficient validation before deleting the referenced file; Joomla! has not disclosed the exact function or parameter. High-privilege access to the update mechanism is required, and deletion can remove data, alter the site, or interrupt service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-23898
Published
Apr 1, 2026
Updated
Apr 1, 2026
Vendor
Joomla! Project
Product
Joomla! CMS
Classifications
CWE-73, T1485
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 1, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 1, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=4.0.0-5.4.3
  2. Affected versionversion=6.0.0-6.0.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Joomla! Project · Joomla! CMSversion=4.0.0-5.4.3; version=6.0.0-6.0.3

Published CVSS scores

8.6Joomla! ProjectCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
7.2NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-73External Control of File Name or Path
T1485Data Destruction

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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