CVE-2025-54474 is a high-severity SQL Injection (SQLi) vulnerability identified in the DJ-Classifieds component versions 3.9.2 through 3.10.1 for the Joomla content management system. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89), allowing privileged users to inject arbitrary SQL code. This flaw enables attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate backend database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or disruption of database integrity. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network without authentication barriers beyond the need for privileged access. The CVSS 4.0 score of 8.5 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and no user interaction required. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's presence in a widely used Joomla extension makes it a significant risk. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation. Given that DJ-Classifieds is a popular component for managing classified ads on Joomla sites, exploitation could lead to data breaches, defacement, or service disruption on affected websites.

For European organizations using Joomla with the DJ-Classifieds component, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Many businesses, especially SMEs and classified ad platforms, rely on Joomla extensions for their web presence. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive customer data, manipulation or deletion of classified listings, and potential website defacement or downtime. This can damage organizational reputation, lead to regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to data breaches), and cause financial losses. The requirement for privileged user access somewhat limits the attack surface but insider threats or compromised administrative credentials could facilitate exploitation. Additionally, attackers who gain privileged access through other means could leverage this vulnerability to escalate their control over the database. The high confidentiality and integrity impact combined with the widespread use of Joomla in Europe makes this a critical concern for organizations running classified ad services or similar applications.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting privileged user access to trusted personnel only and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Joomla administrators. 2. Monitor and audit privileged user activities closely to detect any suspicious database queries or anomalous behavior. 3. Apply web application firewall (WAF) rules tailored to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting DJ-Classifieds component endpoints. 4. Temporarily disable or remove the DJ-Classifieds component if feasible until an official patch is released. 5. Review and sanitize all inputs handled by the component, especially those accessible to privileged users, to prevent injection vectors. 6. Stay updated with vendor advisories and apply patches promptly once available. 7. Conduct penetration testing focused on SQL injection vectors within the Joomla environment to identify any other potential injection points. 8. Implement database-level restrictions limiting the scope of SQL commands that privileged users or the web application can execute, employing the principle of least privilege.