CVE-2021-26038
[20210704] - Core - Privilege escalation through com_installer
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the required hardcoded ACL checks for superusers. A default system is not affected cause the default ACL for com_installer is limited to super users already.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the required hardcoded ACL checks for superusers. A default system is not affected cause the default ACL for com_installer is limited to super users already.
- Record
CVE-2021-26038- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 4.3 Medium
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-754
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
[20210704] - Core - Privilege escalation through com_installer
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the required hardcoded ACL checks for superusers. A default system is not affected cause the default ACL for com_installer is limited to super users already.
- Record
CVE-2021-26038- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-12861 No score
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the required hardcoded ACL checks for superusers. A default system is not affected cause the default ACL for com_installer is limited to super users already.
- Record
EUVD-2021-12861- Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-jg45-rw63-37ww No score
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the...
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the required hardcoded ACL checks for superusers. A default system is not affected cause the default ACL for com_installer is limited to super users already.
- Record
GHSA-jg45-rw63-37ww- Weakness
- CWE-754
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the required hardcoded ACL checks for superusers. A default system is not affected cause the default ACL for com_installer is limited to super users already.
- Record
CVE-2021-26038- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVBIT-joomla-2021-26038 No score
[20210704] - Core - Privilege escalation through com_installer
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the required hardcoded ACL checks for superusers. A default system is not affected cause the default ACL for com_installer is limited to super users already.
- Record
BIT-joomla-2021-26038- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
joomlaBitnami |
2.5.0 to 3.9.27 | None known |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2021-26038 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in Joomla Joomla\!, published July 7, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.00%, the 63rd percentile. No source names a fixed version.