CVE-2026-102428: OrdaSoft Joomla CCK SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2026-102428 Overview

CVE-2026-102428 is an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the OrdaSoft Joomla CCK extension prior to version 8.3.16. The extension accepts a user-provided order column parameter for record sorting without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can inject arbitrary SQL into database queries over the network without authentication or user interaction. The flaw maps to CWE-89, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. Successful exploitation leads to disclosure, modification, or deletion of database content on affected Joomla installations.

Critical Impact

Remote, unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the Joomla database, exposing sensitive data and compromising site integrity.

Affected Products

• OrdaSoft Joomla CCK extension versions prior to 8.3.16
• Joomla sites running the vulnerable OrdaSoft component
• Deployments exposing the affected sorting functionality to unauthenticated users

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-10-05 - CVE-2026-102428 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2026-10-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-102428

Vulnerability Analysis

The OrdaSoft Joomla CCK extension exposes a record-listing feature that accepts an order column parameter from HTTP requests. The extension inserts this parameter directly into the SQL ORDER BY clause without validating it against an allow list or escaping untrusted characters. Attackers can supply crafted values that break out of the intended column context and append arbitrary SQL fragments. Because the vulnerable endpoint is reachable without authentication, exploitation requires no credentials and no user interaction.

ORDER BY injection is particularly powerful because the clause supports subqueries and conditional expressions. Attackers can use time-based or boolean-based techniques to extract data even when the application does not reflect query results. The EPSS score is 0.281% as of 2026-10-07, indicating low current prediction of exploitation attempts, though SQL injection flaws in widely deployed Joomla extensions tend to attract automated scanners quickly.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation on the sorting column parameter. The extension trusts a client-supplied string and concatenates it into a SQL statement. Prepared statements cannot parameterize identifiers such as column or table names, so developers must enforce an allow list of permitted sort columns. The vulnerable code paths omit this control.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends an HTTP request to a vulnerable OrdaSoft CCK endpoint with a malicious order parameter value. The payload modifies the generated SQL to execute additional statements, union queries, or conditional time delays. See the OrdaSoft website for product documentation and update notices. No proof-of-concept code is published in the referenced advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-102428

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to Joomla endpoints containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, or BENCHMARK within sort or order parameters
• Unusually long or URL-encoded values in order, orderby, or filter_order query parameters targeting OrdaSoft components
• Database error messages referencing syntax errors near identifier positions in web server logs
• Unexpected creation of administrator accounts or modifications to the #__users table in Joomla

Detection Strategies

• Deploy web application firewall signatures that identify SQL injection patterns in ORDER BY parameter positions
• Monitor Joomla access logs for repeated requests to OrdaSoft CCK endpoints with varying sort parameters characteristic of automated SQLi tooling
• Correlate database query anomalies, such as time-delayed responses or large result sets, with inbound HTTP requests to the extension

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the Joomla database layer and forward logs to a centralized analytics platform for query pattern analysis
• Alert on authentication, user table, and configuration table modifications outside of change windows
• Track outbound connections from the web server that could indicate data exfiltration following successful injection

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-102428

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade OrdaSoft Joomla CCK to version 8.3.16 or later on all affected Joomla installations
• Audit database and application logs for signs of prior exploitation, including unexpected administrative accounts or altered content
• Rotate database credentials, Joomla administrator passwords, and API tokens if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

OrdaSoft addressed the vulnerability in Joomla CCK version 8.3.16 by validating the order column against a predefined allow list. Administrators should obtain the fixed release from the OrdaSoft website and apply it through the Joomla extension manager. Verify the installed version in the Joomla backend after update.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to OrdaSoft CCK endpoints using web server access control lists or authentication proxies until the patch is applied
• Deploy a web application firewall rule blocking SQL metacharacters and keywords in order and related sort parameters
• Temporarily disable the OrdaSoft CCK extension in the Joomla extension manager if the functionality is not required

# Example ModSecurity rule to block SQLi patterns in order parameters
SecRule ARGS_NAMES "@rx (?i)^(order|orderby|filter_order)$" \
  "chain,id:1026102428,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Potential SQLi in order param (CVE-2026-102428)'"
  SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union|select|sleep\(|benchmark\(|--|/\*)" "t:none,t:urlDecodeUni"