CVE-2025-22207: com_scheduler SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-22207 Overview

CVE-2025-22207 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the Joomla com_scheduler component. The flaw resides in the backend task list view, where order clauses are improperly constructed before being passed to the database layer. Authenticated administrators with access to the Scheduled Tasks component can inject SQL through the order parameter. The issue is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Joomla disclosed the issue in Joomla Security Advisory #958.

Critical Impact
An authenticated backend user can manipulate ORDER BY clauses in the Scheduled Tasks component to extract sensitive database contents through SQL injection.

Affected Products

Joomla CMS core component com_scheduler
Joomla backend Scheduled Tasks task list view
See Joomla Security Advisory #958 for affected version ranges

Discovery Timeline

2025-02-18 - CVE-2025-22207 published to NVD
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-22207

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the backend administrative interface for com_scheduler, the component that manages Joomla scheduled tasks. The task list view builds SQL queries dynamically and includes an ORDER BY clause based on user-controlled sort parameters. Because the order clause is constructed without sufficient validation or parameter binding, attacker-supplied input is concatenated directly into the query.

ORDER BY injection is a recognized SQL injection variant. It cannot be safely parameterized by prepared statements, so the application must enforce an allow-list of column names and sort directions. The com_scheduler task list failed that check, allowing injected expressions to be evaluated by the database engine.

Exploitation requires backend access with permission to view scheduled tasks. The attacker submits a crafted sort parameter through the task list interface. The database executes the injected expression, enabling data exfiltration via boolean-based or time-based inference techniques.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper construction of ORDER BY clauses in the com_scheduler task list query. User-supplied sort field values were not validated against an allow-list before being interpolated into the SQL statement.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based but requires high privileges and user interaction with the Joomla administrative backend. An authenticated administrator manipulates the column ordering parameter on the Scheduled Tasks list page to inject SQL fragments that are evaluated server-side.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to Joomla Security Advisory #958 for vendor-provided technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22207

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected HTTP requests to the Joomla administrator endpoint targeting option=com_scheduler with unusual filter_order or filter_order_Dir parameter values
Database error entries or slow queries originating from the Scheduled Tasks list view
Backend administrator sessions performing repeated sort parameter changes on the task list page in rapid succession

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server and Joomla access logs for requests to index.php?option=com_scheduler&view=tasks containing SQL syntax tokens such as SLEEP(, CASE WHEN, IF(, UNION, or comment sequences in ordering parameters
Enable database query auditing and alert on ORDER BY clauses containing subqueries or function calls from the com_scheduler query path
Correlate authenticated administrator activity with anomalous query latency that suggests time-based blind injection

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward Joomla administrator access logs and MySQL or MariaDB general query logs to a centralized logging platform for correlation
Monitor failed and successful logins to the Joomla backend and flag accounts that access com_scheduler outside of normal operational windows
Track changes to scheduled tasks and administrative user accounts to identify post-exploitation persistence

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22207

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Joomla to the fixed release identified in Joomla Security Advisory #958
Audit Joomla Super User and Administrator accounts and remove unused privileged accounts
Restrict access to /administrator/ through IP allow-listing or VPN where feasible
Enforce multi-factor authentication on all backend accounts to reduce the value of compromised credentials

Patch Information

Joomla published the fix in Security Advisory #958. Apply the upgrade through the standard Joomla Update component or by replacing core files with the patched release from the official Joomla downloads page. Verify the patched version after upgrade by checking the System Information panel.

Workarounds

Temporarily remove or restrict access to the com_scheduler component for non-essential administrator accounts until patching is complete
Place a Web Application Firewall rule in front of the /administrator/ path to block ordering parameters that contain SQL metacharacters or function calls
Increase logging verbosity on the database server to capture suspicious ORDER BY constructs while remediation is pending

bash

# Example WAF-style filter logic for the administrator path
# Block requests where filter_order contains parentheses or SQL keywords
location /administrator/ {
    if ($arg_filter_order ~* "(\(|select|union|sleep|case|if)") {
        return 403;
    }
}