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CriticalA PHP security release fixes two CVSS 9.2 flaws, and PHP 8.1 and older get no patchWhat it means for your site
CVE-2026-88853HighCVSS 7.5CVE published 14 September 2026Added to mySites.guru 13 September 2026

Modals (modals) 16.0.0 to below 17.0.0 - Authenticated Stored XSS via JavaScript URLs and JavaScript Events

Regular Labs Modals 16.0.0 through 16.2.0 is affected by two vendor-confirmed security defects, both fixed in 17.0.0 (released 13 September 2026). CVE-2026-85189: modal links accepted javascript: URLs, so a crafted link executed script when the modal was opened. CVE-2026-88853: JavaScript Events could be attached by any user able to author content; 17.0.0 restricts them to selected article author groups by default. Both require the ability to author or edit content containing Modals links or tags, making this an authenticated stored XSS. Update to 17.0.0 or later. Note that 17.0.0 is flagged by the vendor as a BC BREAK: the JavaScript Events restriction is enabled by default and has to be re-opened deliberately per author group, so review those settings after updating. The CVE records were published on 14 September 2026: CVE-2026-85189 at CVSS 4.0 7.5 (High), vector CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/S:N/AU:N; CVE-2026-88853 at CVSS 4.0 7.5 (High), vector CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/S:N/AU:N.

Is my site affected?

Affected
Modals from 16.0.0 up to but not including 17.0.0
Fixed in
17.0.0
What to do
Update Modals to 17.0.0 or later.
Check whether your sites are affected

How CVE-2026-88853 is scored

The base metrics as Joomla CNA published them, and what each one means for a site running an affected version. Threat and environmental metrics are left out: they describe a moment or a particular install rather than the flaw.

7.5 High

CVSS 4.0, scored by Joomla CNA
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/S:N/AU:N

How it is reached

AV:N Attack vector
Network. Reachable across the internet
AC:L Attack complexity
Low. Nothing to work around, it just works
AT:P Attack requirements
Present. Needs a particular deployment or race to line up
PR:H Privileges required
High. Needs an account with elevated rights
UI:N User interaction
None. Nobody has to be tricked into anything

What it does to the site

VC:H Confidentiality
High. Everything the site holds can be read
VI:H Integrity
High. Data and files can be altered at will
VA:L Availability
Low. The site slows or stutters

What it does beyond the site

SC:N Confidentiality
None. Other systems keep their data
SI:N Integrity
None. Other systems keep their integrity
SA:N Availability
None. Other systems stay up

Timeline

  1. 13 September 2026mySites.guru check added for Modals (from 16.0.0 up to but not including 17.0.0)
  2. 14 September 2026CVE-2026-88853 record published by its CNA

Rule details

Other vulnerabilities in Modals and Modals

Updating for CVE-2026-88853 alone can leave a site on a release another rule still matches. These are the other flaws we check for in the same extensions.

Modals

Latest safe version: 17.0.0

Modals

Latest safe version: 17.0.0

References

CVE-2026-88853 questions

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-88853?
CVE-2026-88853 affects Modals from 16.0.0 up to but not including 17.0.0. The fix is in 17.0.0.
How do I fix CVE-2026-88853?
Update Modals to 17.0.0 or later. Then confirm the installed version on the Joomla administrator's Extensions: Manage screen.
How severe is CVE-2026-88853?
Joomla CNA scores it 7.5 (High) under CVSS 4.0. In plain terms: reachable across the internet, needs an account with elevated rights and nobody has to be tricked into anything.

Running an affected version on a site you manage?

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This check is part of the mySites.guru Joomla vulnerability scanner, which reads every installed extension's version on each audit. Browse the rest of the Joomla vulnerability database.

Rules current as of 23 October 2026.