External risk intelligence

Joomla Gridbox Unauthenticated SQL Injection

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.3)

CVE-2026-102788

The vulnerability exists in a Joomla extension designed for store product list pages. These pages are public-facing components of a website, intended to be accessed by internet users to view and sort products. Because this functionality is exposed by design to anonymous visitors on the public web, the attack surface is considered very likely to be internet-facing.

SQL Injection

Halo Surface Signal: 5 out of 5 — more likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This advisory concerns an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in a Joomla extension, potentially impacting store product listing pages. The issue arises when a sorting parameter is not validated, allowing for its insertion into database queries. The main concern is confirming relevance and exposure within our environment.

  • Unauthenticated code injection in website store features.
  • Impacts public-facing product listing and sorting.
  • Verify exposure and assess impact on relevant sites.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by accessing a store product list page on a Joomla website. By manipulating the "sort-by" URL parameter, the attacker can inject malicious SQL code into the database query. This SQL injection can lead to unauthorized access and modification of sensitive data stored within the website's database.

  • Requires unauthenticated network access.
  • Triggered by sorting product list parameters.
  • Risk of data compromise and unauthorized access.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could affect sensitive information by allowing an unauthenticated attacker to inject malicious SQL commands when interacting with store product list pages. This occurs when the `sort-by` URL parameter is not a recognized sorting option, leading to its direct inclusion in an SQL query's `ORDER BY` clause without proper sanitization.

  • Sensitive data in product database.
  • Malicious SQL via product sort parameter.
  • Unauthorized database access or modification.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in a Joomla extension used for store product pages likely impacts application owners and platform teams responsible for the website's content management system and e-commerce functionality. The immediate first step is to identify all instances of the affected extension, determine their reachability from the internet, and assess their business criticality to prioritize remediation efforts.

  • Application and platform teams own remediation.
  • Verify internet-facing instances and business impact.
  • Coordinate vendor support and plan maintenance.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Balbooa Gridbox extension?

Gridbox is a drag-and-drop website builder and e-commerce extension for the Joomla content management system. It allows users to design professional websites, manage product catalogs, and handle online storefronts directly within their Joomla environment. This vulnerability specifically affects the functionality used to list and sort products on those storefront pages.

How does CVE-2026-102788 create a security risk?

This is an SQL Injection (SQLi) vulnerability, categorized as CWE-89. It happens when the software takes input from a URL parameter and inserts it directly into a database command without proper verification. Because the input isn't filtered, an attacker can manipulate that command to force the database to execute unintended instructions, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or modification.

What triggers this SQL injection?

The vulnerability is triggered by manipulating the 'sort-by' parameter in the URL while visiting a store product list page. The issue occurs specifically when the provided value does not match the extension's expected sorting keys. If the input matches a valid, predefined sorting option, the application handles it correctly, and the vulnerability is not triggered.

Is my Joomla site at risk from this vulnerability?

According to Halo Surface Signal, this vulnerability is very likely internet-facing because it exists in a public-facing component designed for anonymous visitors. If you use Gridbox for e-commerce, your store pages are inherently exposed to the public web, making this a relevant concern for any site running an affected version.

How do I start addressing this issue?

Your first step is to perform an inventory of all Joomla sites to identify where the Gridbox extension is currently installed. Once you have identified the affected instances, verify which ones are accessible from the internet and prioritize them for updates. Consult the vendor's official release notes to confirm the availability of a patch and coordinate with your platform team to apply the necessary update.

References