CVE-2026-102782 Overview
CVE-2026-102782 is an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the OrdaSoft Simple Membership extension for Joomla, affecting versions prior to 7.4.0. The flaw resides in site/simplemembership.php, where the task=checkLoginPass handler dispatches without any authentication or access control check. The handler reads the login request parameter through Joomla's generic input filter, which strips HTML and script tags but does not sanitize quotes or SQL syntax. The parameter is concatenated directly into a database query without escaping or parameterization, allowing remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can inject SQL into the Joomla database, enabling credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential account takeover.
Affected Products
- OrdaSoft Simple Membership for Joomla versions prior to 7.4.0
- Joomla sites running the vulnerable site/simplemembership.php endpoint
- Deployments exposing the checkLoginPass task to unauthenticated users
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-10-07 - CVE-2026-102782 published to NVD
- 2026-10-07 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-102782
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection flaw [CWE-89] in the OrdaSoft Simple Membership extension. The site/simplemembership.php controller exposes the checkLoginPass task over HTTP without any authentication gate or token validation. Remote attackers reach the vulnerable code path with a single unauthenticated request.
The handler retrieves the login request parameter using Joomla's default input filter. This filter removes HTML and script content but intentionally leaves SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, parentheses, and comment sequences untouched. The value then flows directly into a concatenated query string, where the database engine interprets the attacker-controlled characters as SQL syntax rather than data.
Successful exploitation allows attackers to read arbitrary data from the Joomla database, including the #__users table containing password hashes and session tokens. Depending on database privileges, attackers may also modify records or escalate access to the Joomla super user account.
Root Cause
Two defects combine to produce the vulnerability. First, the checkLoginPass task lacks any access control check, exposing the handler to anonymous callers. Second, user input is concatenated into a SQL query without parameterized statements or quote escaping. The reliance on an HTML-oriented input filter for SQL safety is the core design error.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the Joomla site targeting the Simple Membership component with task=checkLoginPass and a malicious login parameter. Because no authentication is required, exploitation requires no prior access, user interaction, or elevated privileges. The vulnerability is reachable over the network against any site running an affected version of the extension.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is referenced in the advisory. See the OrdaSoft Website for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-102782
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to Joomla endpoints containing option=com_simplemembership combined with task=checkLoginPass and SQL metacharacters such as ', UNION, SELECT, or -- in the login parameter.
- Unexpected database errors in Joomla or web server logs referencing the #__users table or the Simple Membership component.
- New or modified administrator accounts in the Joomla #__users table without corresponding admin activity.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for anomalous query strings targeting site/simplemembership.php or the com_simplemembership route.
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures that match SQL injection patterns in the login parameter for the Simple Membership task.
- Correlate authentication failures with outbound data transfer spikes to identify database exfiltration attempts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Joomla database query logging in staging to baseline normal checkLoginPass behavior.
- Monitor for repeated requests to the vulnerable task from a single source IP within short time windows.
- Alert on changes to Joomla user tables, extension files, and administrator group membership.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-102782
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade OrdaSoft Simple Membership to version 7.4.0 or later on all Joomla installations.
- Audit the Joomla #__users table and session store for unauthorized accounts or active sessions created before patching.
- Rotate credentials for any accounts whose password hashes may have been exposed through the vulnerable endpoint.
Patch Information
OrdaSoft has addressed the vulnerability in Simple Membership version 7.4.0. Administrators should obtain the patched release from the OrdaSoft Website and apply it through the Joomla extension manager. Verify the installed version in the Joomla administrator console after the update.
Workarounds
- If immediate patching is not possible, disable the OrdaSoft Simple Membership extension through the Joomla extension manager.
- Block external access to URLs containing option=com_simplemembership and task=checkLoginPass at the WAF or reverse proxy.
- Restrict database user privileges granted to the Joomla application account to limit the blast radius of injection.
# Example WAF rule to block the vulnerable task until patched
SecRule ARGS:task "@streq checkLoginPass" \
"id:1026102782,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
msg:'Block OrdaSoft Simple Membership checkLoginPass (CVE-2026-102782)'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
