CVE-2025-49468 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability affecting the No Boss Calendar component for Joomla versions 1.0.0 through 5.0.6. This component, developed by nobossextensions.com, is a popular calendar extension used within Joomla content management systems. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, specifically through the 'id_module' parameter. Remote authenticated users can exploit this flaw to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have authenticated access with elevated privileges (as indicated by the CVSS vector's PR:H). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as attackers can manipulate database queries to extract sensitive data, modify or delete records, or disrupt service availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, and no official patches are linked at the time of publication (June 13, 2025). Given the widespread use of Joomla in European organizations, especially in public sector and SMBs, this vulnerability poses a significant risk if left unmitigated. The vulnerability's CVSS 4.0 score of 8.6 reflects its critical potential impact combined with relatively low attack complexity and no user interaction required.

For European organizations, the exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, data tampering, and potential disruption of web services relying on the No Boss Calendar component. Since Joomla is widely used across Europe for government portals, educational institutions, and small to medium enterprises, the compromise of these systems could result in data breaches affecting personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers could leverage the vulnerability to pivot within networks, escalate privileges, or implant persistent backdoors. The requirement for authenticated access somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as many organizations have multiple user accounts with elevated privileges or weak authentication controls. The lack of known exploits currently suggests a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score indicates that once exploited, the impact could be substantial.

1. Immediate upgrade: Organizations should upgrade the No Boss Calendar component to version 5.0.7 or later once available, as this will contain the official fix for the vulnerability. 2. Access control review: Restrict and audit user accounts with elevated privileges in Joomla to minimize the number of users who can exploit this vulnerability. Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative accounts. 3. Input validation and web application firewall (WAF): Deploy a WAF with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the 'id_module' parameter. 4. Database monitoring: Enable detailed logging and monitoring of database queries to detect anomalous or unauthorized SQL commands. 5. Network segmentation: Limit the exposure of Joomla administrative interfaces to trusted networks only, reducing the risk of remote exploitation. 6. Incident response readiness: Prepare for potential exploitation by having backup and recovery procedures in place, and conduct regular security assessments focusing on Joomla components. 7. Vendor communication: Maintain contact with nobossextensions.com for timely patch releases and advisories.