How severe is CVE-2013-1453?

CVE-2013-1453 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2013-1453 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2013-1453?

CVE-2013-1453 primarily affects Joomla Joomla!. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2013-1453?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2013-1453 published?

CVE-2013-1453 was published on 2013-02-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2013-1453

CVE-2013-1453 is a high-severity vulnerability in Joomla Joomla! with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (86th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Joomla Joomla!
Published: 2013-02-13
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

plugins/system/highlight/highlight.php in Joomla! 3.0.x through 3.0.2 and 2.5.x through 2.5.8 allows attackers to unserialize arbitrary PHP objects to obtain sensitive information, delete arbitrary directories, conduct SQL injection attacks, and possibly have other impacts via the highlight parameter. Note: it was originally reported that this issue only allowed attackers to obtain sensitive information, but later analysis demonstrated that other attacks exist.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2013-1453?: plugins/system/highlight/highlight.php in Joomla! 3.0.x through 3.0.2 and 2.5.x through 2.5.8 allows attackers to unserialize arbitrary PHP objects to obtain sensitive information, delete arbitrary directories, conduct SQL injection attacks, and possibly have other impacts via the highlight parameter. Note: it was originally reported that this issue only allowed attackers to obtain sensitive information, but later analysis demonstrated that other attacks exist.
How severe is CVE-2013-1453?: CVE-2013-1453 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2013-1453 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2013-1453?: CVE-2013-1453 primarily affects Joomla Joomla!. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2013-1453?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2013-1453 published?: CVE-2013-1453 was published on 2013-02-13 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (12)

cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:2.5.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:3.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:3.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:3.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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