CVE-2017-20275: Joomla PHP-Bridge SQL Injection (CVSS 8.2)

Technical summary

CVE-2017-20275 is an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in Joomla! Component PHP-Bridge 1.2.3. The vulnerability exists in the id parameter when accessing index.php with option=com_phpbridge&view=phpview. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation on the id parameter, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL code. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.2 (HIGH) reflects the network-adjacent attack vector, low complexity, no privilege requirement, and the ability to exfiltrate confidential data with limited impact to data integrity and no availability impact.

Business impact

Affected organizations face significant risk of unauthorized data disclosure. Attackers can systematically extract database schema information and sensitive records, potentially exposing customer data, internal credentials, or intellectual property. Such breaches trigger compliance obligations under GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and other regulations, leading to notification costs, fines, and reputational damage. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means any internet-facing Joomla site with the vulnerable component is immediately at risk.

Affected systems

Joomla! installations with PHP-Bridge component version 1.2.3 are affected. Organizations should audit their Joomla environments to identify sites with this component installed. The vulnerability does not require authentication, making any public-facing Joomla site with this version a potential target.

Exploitability

Exploitability is high. The attack requires only a network connection and the ability to craft HTTP GET requests—no special tools, authentication, or user interaction needed. Proof-of-concept attacks are relatively straightforward given that SQL injection techniques are well-established and commonly automated. Attackers scanning the internet for vulnerable Joomla sites can quickly identify and exploit this weakness at scale.

Remediation

Immediately upgrade PHP-Bridge component to a patched version. If an updated version is not available from the vendor, disable or remove the PHP-Bridge component from all Joomla installations. As a temporary measure, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block requests containing suspicious SQL syntax in the id parameter. Apply principle of least privilege to database accounts used by Joomla to limit data accessible even if injection succeeds.

Patch guidance

Verify the latest patched version of the PHP-Bridge component against the vendor's official Joomla Extensions Directory or the component publisher's repository. Apply patches in a test environment first to validate compatibility with your Joomla version and other installed components. After patching, verify that the component is functioning correctly before deploying to production. If no patch is available, consider removing the component entirely or replacing it with an actively maintained alternative.

Detection guidance

Monitor web server and application logs for GET requests containing patterns like 'option=com_phpbridge&view=phpview' combined with suspicious characters in the id parameter (e.g., single quotes, SQL keywords like UNION, SELECT, OR). Deploy WAF rules to detect and block SQL injection payloads. Conduct database access logging to identify unauthorized queries or unusual data extraction patterns. Perform vulnerability scans using tools that check for known SQL injection vectors in web applications.

Why prioritize this

This vulnerability warrants immediate patching due to the combination of high CVSS score (8.2), unauthenticated attack vector, ease of exploitation, and direct risk to confidential data. The lack of KEV listing does not reduce urgency; organizations should not delay remediation waiting for active exploitation reports. Public disclosure and automated scanning tools will quickly identify vulnerable instances.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.2 (HIGH) reflects a network-accessible vulnerability requiring no authentication or user interaction, combined with high impact on confidentiality. The vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N) indicates that attackers can read sensitive data with some ability to modify database records, but cannot deny service. The scope remains unchanged because the vulnerability is confined to the application's authorization model. The high score appropriately prioritizes this as a critical remediation target.

Frequently asked questions