Unauthenticated file deletion and site alteration via AJAX
Published Jun 29, 2026 · Updated Jun 29, 2026
Improper access control in JoomShaper Helix3 1.0 through 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to delete files and alter site content. The public Joomla com_ajax route invokes the Helix3 AJAX handler without authentication, allowing attacker-selected actions to delete arbitrary files, write JSON files, or replace stored template parameters. Internet access to a site with the affected plugins enabled is sufficient; observed exploitation has created JSON defacement files and altered public pages.
Summary
What happened
Improper access control in JoomShaper Helix3 1.0 through 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to delete files and alter site content. The public Joomla com_ajax route invokes the Helix3 AJAX handler without authentication, allowing attacker-selected actions to delete arbitrary files, write JSON files, or replace stored template parameters. Internet access to a site with the affected plugins enabled is sufficient; observed exploitation has created JSON defacement files and altered public pages.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-49049
- Published
- Jun 29, 2026
- Updated
- Jun 29, 2026
- Vendor
- JoomShaper
- Product
- Helix3
- Classifications
- CWE-284, T1491.002
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jun 29, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jun 29, 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=1.0-3.1.1
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.
Public exploit references
- CVE-2026-49049 Helix3 scanner and RCE chainweaponized · unverified
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- Reported Helix3 mass exploitation and defacementreported exploitation
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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