CVE-2026-60024 Overview
CVE-2026-60024 affects the Joomla extension Events Booking developed by JoomDonation. Versions prior to 5.8.0 ship with an insecure default configuration that permits unauthenticated users to upload media assets to the server. The flaw stems from missing authentication on a privileged file operation, which maps to [CWE-1188] Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default. Attackers can abuse this behavior remotely over the network without user interaction. The upload functionality provides an entry point for delivering malicious files, hosting attacker-controlled content, or staging follow-on compromise of the underlying Joomla site.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can upload arbitrary media assets to any Joomla site running Events Booking prior to version 5.8.0, enabling site defacement, malware hosting, and potential webshell delivery.
Affected Products
- JoomDonation Events Booking extension for Joomla, versions prior to 5.8.0
- Joomla sites using the default configuration of Events Booking
- Web servers hosting vulnerable Events Booking installations
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-17 - CVE-2026-60024 published to NVD
- 2026-07-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-60024
Vulnerability Analysis
Events Booking is a Joomla extension that manages event registration, ticketing, and attendee data for organizers. Prior to version 5.8.0, the extension exposes a media upload handler that does not enforce authentication by default. The endpoint accepts file uploads over HTTP without verifying that the requester holds a valid Joomla session or the required privileges. Because the misconfiguration is present out of the box, every site that installs the extension without hardening inherits the exposure.
An attacker who reaches the vulnerable endpoint can submit multipart file uploads and store attacker-controlled content in the site's media directory. The uploaded assets can be referenced from the public web root, which enables hosting of phishing pages, malware payloads, or watering-hole content. Depending on server configuration and MIME filtering, the upload path may also permit files that Joomla or the underlying PHP interpreter will execute.
Root Cause
The root cause is insecure default initialization [CWE-1188]. The extension's shipped configuration does not require authentication for the media upload workflow, and administrators are not prompted to restrict access before the endpoint becomes reachable. Guarding the upload handler with an explicit access check and safe defaults is only enforced beginning in version 5.8.0.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires only network access to the target Joomla site. The attacker sends an HTTP POST request to the Events Booking upload endpoint with a crafted multipart payload. No credentials, tokens, or user interaction are needed. Because the request is unauthenticated and low complexity, automated scanners can identify and exploit vulnerable installations at scale. See the JoomDonation Event Booking Extension product page for vendor context.
No verified public exploit code is available for this CVE at the time of writing. Refer to the vendor advisory for technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-60024
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected files in the Events Booking media upload directories, particularly executable extensions such as .php, .phtml, or .phar
- HTTP POST requests to Events Booking upload endpoints from unauthenticated sessions or unfamiliar IP addresses
- New or modified files under /images/, /media/, or component-specific upload paths without corresponding administrator activity
- Outbound connections from the web server to attacker infrastructure following upload events
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for POST requests to Events Booking component URLs that lack authenticated session cookies
- Compare current contents of media upload directories against a known-good baseline to identify unauthorized additions
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag multipart uploads to the extension when no valid Joomla session is present
- Correlate file creation events on the web server with the originating HTTP request to identify unauthenticated uploads
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable file integrity monitoring on Joomla media and component directories
- Alert on the creation of files with server-executable extensions inside any web-accessible upload path
- Monitor for scanner signatures probing com_eventbooking endpoints across the public perimeter
- Retain HTTP request bodies for upload endpoints to support post-incident forensic review
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-60024
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade the Events Booking extension to version 5.8.0 or later on every affected Joomla site
- Audit media upload directories for unauthorized files and remove any that cannot be attributed to legitimate activity
- Review Joomla administrator and user accounts for signs of post-exploitation persistence
- Restrict execution of PHP and other server-side languages within upload directories at the web server level
Patch Information
The vendor addressed the issue in Events Booking 5.8.0 by removing the insecure default that allowed unauthenticated uploads. Administrators should install the update through the Joomla extension manager or download the release directly from the JoomDonation Event Booking Extension page.
Workarounds
- Block public access to Events Booking upload endpoints at the web server or WAF layer until the patch is applied
- Require authentication for all requests to com_eventbooking upload handlers using server-level access rules
- Disable PHP execution inside media and upload directories with an .htaccess policy or equivalent server configuration
- Temporarily unpublish the Events Booking component if immediate patching is not feasible
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
