A critical flaw in the Joomla Content Editor (JCE), one of the most widely used editor extensions for the Joomla CMS, is being actively exploited to take over websites. The bug (CVE-2026-48907, rated a perfect 10) is an access-control failure that lets an unauthenticated attacker create editor profiles and then upload and run arbitrary PHP code, leading to full server compromise. CISA added it to its known-exploited list and ordered federal agencies to patch by June 19. Working exploit code is public and attacks are automated, so even sites with no public registration are at risk. Patching closes the hole but does not remove anything attackers already planted.
Attackers compromised Nextend's update infrastructure and pushed a fully weaponized version of Smart Slider 3 Pro (3.5.1.35) through the official WordPress and Joomla update channel on April 7. Sites with auto-updates enabled received a multi-layered remote access toolkit disguised as a legitimate plugin update. The malicious version was live for approximately six hours before detection. Patchstack's analysis found: unauthenticated remote command execution via crafted HTTP headers, a second authenticated backdoor with PHP eval and OS command execution, a hidden administrator account (prefixed wpsvc_) invisible in the admin interface, persistent backdoors planted in the active theme's functions.php and wp-config.php, and automated credential theft sent to an external server. Traditional defenses like firewalls, nonce verification, and role-based access controls are irrelevant here because the malicious code arrived through the trusted update channel. Affected sites should be considered fully compromised.
TrustStrike Labs