Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This issue affects Joomla sites using the Tiny browser component bundled with TinyMCE 3.0 before Joomla 1.5.13. It can allow attackers to upload files and execute PHP code, which can lead to full website compromise. The sources identify a fixed version, but do not provide CVSS scoring.
Executive priority
Treat as urgent for any remaining Joomla 1.5.12-era site, especially public websites. Arbitrary PHP execution can become complete site takeover.
Technical view
CVE-2011-4906 is a file upload flaw in Tiny browser within TinyMCE 3.0 in Joomla before 1.5.13. The described impact is arbitrary PHP code execution. Public exploit reference exists, but the bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on internet-facing Joomla installations running version 1.5.12 or earlier with the affected TinyMCE/Tiny browser component present.
Exploitation context
A public Exploit-DB reference is cited, so exploit knowledge was public. However, KEV is false and the provided sources do not confirm active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
The record is impact-clear but metadata-light: no CVSS, CWE, or KEV confirmation is included. Keep conclusions limited to Joomla before 1.5.13 and the Tiny browser/TinyMCE 3.0 path described.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade affected Joomla installations to 1.5.13 or later guidance identified by the vendor.
- Confirm TinyMCE/Tiny browser is not exposed on unsupported Joomla 1.5.12 systems.
- Check current vendor guidance before applying compensating controls.
- Restrict administrative and editor upload surfaces where immediate upgrade is delayed.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Joomla versions and identify any 1.5.12 or earlier deployments.
- Verify whether TinyMCE 3.0 Tiny browser exists on those systems.
- Confirm upgrade status against Joomla 1.5.13 fix information.
- Review web-accessible upload areas for unexpected PHP files.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2011-4906 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/12/25/7CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://developer.joomla.org/security/news/301-20090722-core-file-upload.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- 10183CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.