Free Joomla Security Scanner
Detect outdated extensions, admin panel exposure, SQL injection risks, and Joomla-specific vulnerabilities in 60 seconds. No signup required.
Scan Your Joomla Site Now
Our AI-powered scanner detects Joomla-specific vulnerabilities including extension flaws, admin exposure, and configuration issues.
Ready to scan.
Extension Vulnerability Detection
Identifies outdated and vulnerable Joomla extensions with known CVEs. Checks for common exploitable components like com_fabrik, com_jce, and com_akeeba.
Admin Panel Exposure
Checks if /administrator is publicly accessible without IP restriction or additional authentication. Detects default admin usernames and brute-force vulnerability.
Configuration Security
Verifies configuration.php protection, error reporting settings, file permissions, and Joomla-specific security settings like forced SSL and session handlers.
Security Headers & SSL
Checks for CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options, and other security headers. Validates SSL/TLS configuration and detects mixed content issues.
API & Injection Risks
Tests for Joomla REST API exposure (CVE-2023-23752), SQL injection indicators in search and filtering, and unauthorized data access through API endpoints.
Email Security
Validates SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to prevent email spoofing. Critical for Joomla sites sending registration confirmations and notifications.
Common Joomla Vulnerabilities
Joomla powers approximately 2.5% of all websites and has a history of critical security vulnerabilities. Here are the most common issues we detect:
1. Outdated Core & Extensions
Joomla releases security patches frequently, but many sites run outdated versions. The most critical recent vulnerabilities include:
- CVE-2023-23752 — Unauthorized API access allowing database credential exposure
- CVE-2023-23753 — Improper access check in webservice endpoints
- CVE-2015-7297 — SQL injection in core (affected millions of sites)
- Object injection vulnerabilities in session handling
2. Exposed Administrator Panel
The default /administrator path is well-known to attackers. Without IP restriction, rate limiting, or two-factor authentication, it's vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
3. Insecure File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions allow attackers to modify configuration files or upload malicious extensions. Recommended permissions:
# Correct Joomla file permissions
find /path/to/joomla -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
find /path/to/joomla -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
chmod 444 configuration.php4. Missing Security Headers
Most Joomla sites lack Content-Security-Policy, HSTS, and other security headers. Add them via .htaccess or your hosting control panel. See our Security Headers Guide.
Joomla Hardening Checklist
- Update Joomla core to the latest version
- Update all extensions and remove unused ones
- Enable two-factor authentication for all admin accounts
- Restrict
/administratoraccess by IP or use a security extension - Set
configuration.phpto read-only (chmod 444) - Disable user registration if not needed
- Configure security headers (CSP, HSTS, X-Frame-Options)
- Enable forced SSL in Global Configuration
- Set error reporting to "None" in production
- Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your domain
- Schedule regular backups and security scans
Related Security Guides
- OWASP Top 10 Explained: 2026 Edition — Every OWASP risk with detection methods and fix commands.
- Security Headers Guide: CSP, HSTS & More — Configure essential HTTP security headers for Joomla.
- How to Prevent SQL Injection — Parameterized queries, WAF rules, and detection techniques.
- How to Fix Exposed .env Files — Block access to sensitive configuration files on your server.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Joomla security scanner check?
It checks for outdated core versions, vulnerable extensions, exposed admin panel, directory listing, SQL injection indicators, security headers, SSL/TLS issues, exposed configuration files, and Joomla-specific CVEs.
Is Joomla secure?
Joomla can be secure when properly maintained. The biggest risks come from outdated extensions, weak admin credentials, and missing security headers. Regular updates, hardening, and monitoring are essential.
How do I harden my Joomla site?
Keep core and extensions updated, restrict /administrator access, enable 2FA, set proper file permissions, configure security headers, use a WAF, and run regular security scans.
Related Security Guides
Website Security Checklist 2026
40 high-impact security checks for any website.
Security Headers Checklist
CSP, HSTS, and cookie hardening — complete 2026 guide.
Fix Exposed .env Files
Prevent credential leaks from exposed environment files.
Pre-Launch Security Checklist
What to verify before going live with your Joomla site.