CVE-2026-76613: YOOtheme Pro SQLI Vulnerability

CVE-2026-76613 Overview

CVE-2026-76613 is an authenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the YOOtheme Pro extension for Joomla. The flaw affects versions 1.0.0 through 5.0.40 and allows any contributor-level user to inject arbitrary content into SQL queries executed by the application. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-89] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

Exploitation requires valid contributor credentials but no user interaction, and the attack can be performed remotely over the network. Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying database.

Critical Impact
Authenticated contributors can extract, modify, or destroy database contents on Joomla sites running vulnerable YOOtheme Pro versions.

Affected Products

YOOtheme Pro 1.0.0 through 5.0.40 for Joomla
Joomla installations bundling vulnerable YOOtheme Pro builds
Sites with contributor-level or higher user accounts on affected versions

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-21 - CVE-2026-76613 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-08-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-76613

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in YOOtheme Pro, a commercial page builder and theme framework for Joomla. Contributor-level users can supply crafted input that reaches SQL query construction without proper neutralization. Because the input is concatenated into a query rather than parameterized, attackers can alter the query's logic and structure.

The issue affects a wide version range (1.0.0 through 5.0.40), indicating the injection path has existed across multiple major releases. The attack surface is exposed through authenticated content-creation workflows available to contributors.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input incorporated into SQL statements [CWE-89]. YOOtheme Pro accepts values from contributor input paths and passes them into queries without adequate sanitization, escaping, or use of prepared statements. Trust placed on the low-privileged contributor role permits execution of the affected code path.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker with contributor privileges submits crafted payloads through YOOtheme Pro request handlers. The payload modifies the resulting SQL query, enabling data extraction (UNION-based or blind techniques), authentication material harvesting, and manipulation of stored records. No user interaction is required, and the attack complexity is low.

The vulnerability requires no client-side prerequisites beyond a valid account. Because contributor accounts are common on multi-author Joomla sites, the effective attack surface is broader than the privilege label suggests. Refer to the YOOtheme official website for advisory information.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-76613

Indicators of Compromise

Web server access logs containing SQL syntax fragments such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or -- in parameters targeting YOOtheme Pro endpoints
Unexpected database errors or long-running queries originating from contributor sessions
New or modified administrator accounts, session tokens, or user metadata following contributor activity
Outbound requests from the Joomla host to attacker-controlled hosts shortly after content submissions

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures for SQL injection patterns on requests to YOOtheme Pro components and Joomla index.php endpoints
Correlate authenticated contributor actions with database error logs and anomalous query execution times
Inventory Joomla installations and flag any running YOOtheme Pro version at or below 5.0.40

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Joomla and database query logging for accounts with contributor role or higher
Alert on privilege changes, #__users table modifications, and session table anomalies
Baseline contributor request patterns and alert on deviations in parameter length or content type

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-76613

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade YOOtheme Pro to a version above 5.0.40 that addresses the SQL injection
Audit all contributor and higher-privileged accounts and disable inactive or unknown users
Rotate database credentials and Joomla secret keys if compromise is suspected
Review recent database changes for unauthorized modifications to user, session, and content tables

Patch Information

Vendor patch details are published by YOOtheme. Administrators should consult the YOOtheme official website and Joomla extension update channels for the fixed release and installation instructions. Apply the update through the Joomla Extensions Manager on all affected sites.

Workarounds

Temporarily revoke contributor and higher publishing privileges until the patch is applied
Restrict access to Joomla administrative and content-creation endpoints with IP allow-listing
Enable WAF rules that block SQL injection payloads targeting YOOtheme Pro components
Enforce least privilege by removing unnecessary contributor accounts and requiring strong authentication

bash

# Example: block anonymous or unexpected access to Joomla admin paths at the web server
# nginx example
location ~* /administrator/ {
    allow 203.0.113.0/24;
    deny all;
}