CVE-2025-26854 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified in the Articles Good Search extension versions 1.0.0 through 1.2.4.0011 for the Joomla content management system. This vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), allowing an unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL code into the backend database queries executed by the extension. Exploitation requires no user interaction and can be performed remotely over the network (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L) and no privileges required (PR:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, as attackers can exfiltrate sensitive data, modify or delete database records, or cause denial of service by manipulating SQL queries. Joomla is a widely used CMS, especially in Europe, and the Articles Good Search extension is commonly deployed to enhance search functionality on Joomla sites. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for mitigation. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the high CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical risk that could be leveraged by attackers to compromise vulnerable Joomla websites hosting this extension.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat, particularly to those relying on Joomla-based websites for public-facing portals, e-commerce, or internal content management. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property, or internal communications, resulting in data breaches and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. The integrity of website content could be compromised, damaging organizational reputation and trust. Additionally, attackers could disrupt website availability, impacting business continuity and user experience. Given the prevalence of Joomla in European public sector and small to medium enterprises, the risk of targeted attacks exploiting this vulnerability is substantial. Organizations in sectors such as government, education, healthcare, and retail are especially vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and the critical role of their web presence.

Immediate mitigation steps include disabling or uninstalling the Articles Good Search extension until a vendor patch is released. Organizations should audit their Joomla installations to identify the presence of affected extension versions. Web application firewalls (WAFs) should be configured with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable extension's endpoints. Employing strict input validation and parameterized queries within custom Joomla modules can reduce risk. Monitoring web server logs for suspicious query patterns indicative of SQL injection attempts is recommended. Organizations should maintain regular backups of their Joomla databases and website files to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. Once a patch is available, prompt application is critical. Additionally, consider isolating Joomla web servers within segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if exploited.