CVE-2017-20265 Overview
CVE-2017-20265 is an SQL injection vulnerability [CWE-89] in the Joomla! Flip Wall component version 8.0. The flaw resides in the wallid parameter handled by the com_flipwall extension. An unauthenticated attacker can send a crafted GET request to index.php using option=com_flipwall&task=click&wallid= with an injected SQL payload. Successful exploitation lets attackers execute arbitrary SQL queries against the Joomla! database, exposing user credentials, session data, and other stored records. A public exploit exists on Exploit-DB (Exploit-DB #42524), and the issue is tracked in the VulnCheck SQL Injection Advisory.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can extract sensitive database contents from any Joomla! site running the Flip Wall 8.0 extension by injecting SQL through a single GET parameter.
Affected Products
- Joomla! Flip Wall Component 8.0 (com_flipwall)
- Joomla! installations using the PulseExtensions Flip Wall plugin
- Joomla! sites exposing the index.php?option=com_flipwall&task=click endpoint
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-19 - CVE-2017-20265 published to NVD
- 2026-06-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2017-20265
Vulnerability Analysis
The Flip Wall component fails to sanitize or parameterize the wallid HTTP GET parameter before concatenating it into a SQL statement. The task=click handler reads wallid directly and passes it to the database query that records click activity. Because the value is interpolated as a raw string, an attacker can break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL syntax. The result is a classic in-band SQL injection that an unauthenticated remote user can trigger with a single HTTP request. According to EPSS data published on 2026-06-25, the vulnerability carries a 0.241% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command [CWE-89]. The Flip Wall component does not cast wallid to an integer, validate it against an expected pattern, or use prepared statements through Joomla!'s database abstraction layer. Any user-supplied content reaches the SQL engine intact.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication. An attacker issues a GET request such as index.php?option=com_flipwall&task=click&wallid=<payload> where <payload> contains UNION-based or boolean-based SQL injection syntax. The vulnerable endpoint returns content influenced by the injected query, enabling data extraction through repeated requests. Refer to the Exploit-DB #42524 entry for the published proof-of-concept request structure.
Detection Methods for CVE-2017-20265
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to index.php containing option=com_flipwall&task=click&wallid= with SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, CONCAT, or comment markers (--, #, /*).
- URL-encoded SQL metacharacters (%27, %20OR%20, %20UNION%20) in the wallid query string.
- Unexpected jos_users or session table reads originating from the Joomla! database account.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for com_flipwall requests containing non-numeric wallid values.
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks SQL syntax in the wallid parameter.
- Correlate database error responses with inbound requests to the Flip Wall endpoint.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on spikes in task=click requests from a single source IP address.
- Monitor Joomla! database accounts for queries selecting from users, sessions, or extensions tables outside of normal application flow.
- Track outbound responses with abnormally large bodies that may indicate UNION-based data extraction.
How to Mitigate CVE-2017-20265
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable or uninstall the Flip Wall 8.0 component from Joomla! Extension Manager until a patched release is confirmed.
- Restrict access to index.php?option=com_flipwall at the web server or WAF layer.
- Audit the Joomla! database for unauthorized accounts, modified administrator records, and leaked password hashes.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the CVE record. Review the PulseExtensions Homepage and the Joomla Extension Listing for any updated release. If a fixed version is not available, removal of the component is the recommended remediation per the VulnCheck SQL Injection Advisory.
Workarounds
- Add a WAF signature blocking SQL metacharacters in the wallid parameter for com_flipwall requests.
- Enforce integer-only validation on wallid through a reverse proxy rewrite rule that rejects non-numeric values.
- Rotate Joomla! administrator credentials and invalidate active sessions after removing the extension.
# Example Apache mod_rewrite rule to block non-numeric wallid values
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} option=com_flipwall [NC]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} wallid=([^&]*) [NC]
RewriteCond %1 !^[0-9]+$
RewriteRule ^ - [F,L]
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
