CVE-2016-8869
CVE-2016-8869 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Joomla Joomla! with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 97% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v2: 7.5
- EPSS exploit prediction: 97% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-20
- Affected product: Joomla Joomla!
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
The register method in the UsersModelRegistration class in controllers/user.php in the Users component in Joomla! before 3.6.4 allows remote attackers to gain privileges by leveraging incorrect use of unfiltered data when registering on a site.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2016-8869?
- The register method in the UsersModelRegistration class in controllers/user.php in the Users component in Joomla! before 3.6.4 allows remote attackers to gain privileges by leveraging incorrect use of unfiltered data when registering on a site.
- How severe is CVE-2016-8869?
- CVE-2016-8869 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2016-8869 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 97% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2016-8869?
- CVE-2016-8869 affects Joomla Joomla!. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2016-8869?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2016-8869 published?
- CVE-2016-8869 was published on 2016-11-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/auxiliary/admin/http/joomla_registration_privesc
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93883
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037108
- https://blog.sucuri.net/2016/10/details-on-the-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-in-joomla.html
- https://developer.joomla.org/security-centre/660-20161002-core-elevated-privileges.html
- https://github.com/joomla/joomla-cms/commit/bae1d43938c878480cfd73671e4945211538fdcf
- https://medium.com/%40showthread/joomla-3-6-4-account-creation-elevated-privileges-write-up-and-exploit-965d8fb46fa2#.rq4qh1v4r
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40637/
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:joomla:joomla\!:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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