CVE-2021-26040 [20210801] - Core - Insufficient access control for com_media deletion endpoint
Attackers can delete files via the media manager without proper permission checks, requiring a patch to enforce access controls.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2021-26040?
CVE-2021-26040 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in Joomla Joomla\!, published on 24 Aug 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
An issue was discovered in Joomla! 4.0.0. The media manager does not correctly check the user's permissions before executing a file deletion command.
Weakness: CWE-863
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-26040?
1 open source package ship an affected version, including joomla. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
joomla Bitnami | From 4.0.0 to 4.0.0 | None |
Products include Joomla Joomla\!.
How do I fix CVE-2021-26040?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-26040 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2021-26040 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-26040 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Joomla Joomla\!
- CVE-2016-10033 PHPMailer Command Injection
- CVE-2023-23752 Joomla! Improper Access Control
- CVE-2026-48902 Joomla! Core - [20260518] - Transport encryption downgrade for password and username reset links
- CVE-2025-25226 [20250401] - Joomla Framework - SQL injection vulnerability in quoteNameStr method of Database package
- CVE-2022-23795 [20220303] - Core - User row are not bound to a authentication mechanism
Sources
Also known as BIT-joomla-2021-26040, GHSA-qfrh-p934-938f.