CVE-2023-23752 is a vulnerability identified in Joomla! CMS versions 4.0.0 through 4.2.7, where an improper access control check (CWE-284) allows unauthorized access to webservice endpoints. Joomla! CMS is a widely used open-source content management system that supports web services for integration and data exchange. The flaw arises because the access control list (ACL) mechanisms fail to properly verify permissions before granting access to certain API endpoints, enabling attackers to bypass authentication and access sensitive data exposed via these services. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without any authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. However, the impact is limited to confidentiality as the attacker can only read data but cannot modify it or disrupt service availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating medium severity, with vector metrics AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported to date. The vulnerability was published on February 16, 2023, and is tracked under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). Since Joomla! CMS is used extensively by organizations for website and web application hosting, this vulnerability could expose sensitive information if exploited.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-23752 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information accessible via Joomla! webservice endpoints. This could include user data, configuration details, or other confidential content managed through the CMS. While the vulnerability does not allow data modification or service disruption, the confidentiality breach could lead to further targeted attacks, reputational damage, or regulatory compliance issues, especially under GDPR. Organizations relying on Joomla! CMS for public-facing websites or internal portals are at risk if they have not updated to patched versions or implemented strict access controls. The ease of remote exploitation without authentication increases the threat level. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium CVSS score suggest the threat is moderate but should not be ignored. The impact is more significant for entities hosting sensitive or regulated data on Joomla!-powered sites.

1. Upgrade Joomla! CMS to a version later than 4.2.7 once the vendor releases a patch addressing CVE-2023-23752. Monitor Joomla! security advisories for official updates. 2. Until a patch is available, restrict access to Joomla! webservice endpoints via network controls such as firewalls or web application firewalls (WAFs) to trusted IP addresses only. 3. Review and tighten ACL configurations within Joomla! to ensure minimal necessary permissions are granted and that webservice endpoints are not publicly accessible unless required. 4. Implement monitoring and logging of access to webservice endpoints to detect any unauthorized access attempts promptly. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on Joomla! installations to identify and remediate similar access control issues. 6. Educate administrators on the importance of applying security updates promptly and following best practices for CMS security hardening.