# CVE-2026-48946: Joomla K2 Extension Unrestricted File Upload in Article Attachments

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48946-joomla-k2-extension-unrestricted-file-upload-in-article  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-25. Updated: 2026-06-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-48946 · Severity: info · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-06-25

A vulnerability in the K2 content management extension for Joomla allows users with 'Author' permissions to upload malicious files. By uploading a PHP script as an article attachment, an attacker can gain full control over the web server. This could lead to the theft of sensitive data, website defacement, or a complete service outage.

Technologies: [JoomlaWorks K2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/k2). Vendors: [JoomlaWorks](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/joomlaworks).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-48946 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-48946 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-48946?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 25 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** JoomlaWorks K2 1.0-2.26.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-48946?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-48946 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-48946?** Check whether you run JoomlaWorks K2 at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

An unrestricted file upload vulnerability (CWE-434) exists in the K2 frontend article-attachment upload path. The application fails to validate or sanitize file extensions, allowing files with a `.php` extension to be uploaded to the `/media/k2/attachments/` directory. Because standard Apache mod_php configurations execute files ending in `.php`, an authenticated user with 'Author' privileges can upload a web shell and execute arbitrary PHP code in the context of the web server user. The vulnerability affects K2 versions 1.0 through 2.26.

## Affected products

- getk2.com K2 extension for Joomla 1.0-2.26

## Timeline

- 2026-06-25: disclosed: CVE published by Joomla! Project

## References

- [https://www.getk2.org/](https://www.getk2.org/)

## Related threats

- [Joomla K2 extension unrestricted file upload in article gallery upload](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48945-joomla-k2-extension-unrestricted-file-upload-in-article-gallery)
- [Joomla K2 path traversal in article-save handler](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48944-joomla-k2-path-traversal-in-article-save-handler)
- [JoomlaWorks K2 mass-assignment in plg_user_k2 plugin](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48943-joomlaworks-k2-mass-assignment-in-plg-user-k2-plugin)
- [Joomla K2 Extension Cross-Site Scripting in User Images](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48942-joomla-k2-extension-cross-site-scripting-in-user-images)
- [Joomla K2 extension unauthorized folder deletion in item.checkin task](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-48941-joomla-k2-extension-unauthorized-folder-deletion-in-item-checkin)