10 Best Joomla Vulnerability and Security Scanners to Audit your Website

Joomla powers over 2.5 million websites accounting for a sizable 3% share of all CMS platforms. The modular architecture with thousands of community extensions make it flexible and feature-rich. But this complexity also poses multiple security challenges.

According to web security statistics, over 4500 vulnerabilities have been publicly disclosed in Joomla core, plugins, modules and components so far.

These software flaws coupled with complex privilege escalations, insecure configurations, unpatched extensions make Joomla an attractive target for hackers. They look to exploit these weaknesses to steal data, deface sites, redirect visitors for phishing and even enrol websites in botnets for cyber attacks.

Moreover outdated Joomla usage in long tail small businesses makes the situation worse. This calls for urgent actions to lock down your Joomla website security.

This comprehensive guide covers specialized Joomla vulnerability scanners enabling you to audit the ever expanding attack surface rigorously including:

• Core application issues
• Vulnerable third party extensions
• Insecure configurations
• Suspicious code injections
• Malware backdoors

So let‘s get started with the 8 must have Joomla security scanners and auditing tools.

The Joomla Website Attack Anatomy

Before assessing defenses like security scanners, it‘s important we analyze common attack techniques hackers employ against Joomla sites:

Scanning for Low Hanging Fruits

Hackers actively scan the web using automation tools to find vulnerable Joomla targets. Unpatched versions, broken authentication flaws, insecure admin interfaces – make easy initial access points.

Once in, they target dumping user credentials, database extracts or install web shells for backdoor access.

Targeted Extension Exploits

Extensions add powerful features to Joomla but also introduce additional risks if coding vulnerability exists. Hackers actively reverse engineer the logic of popular extensions to craft input payloads allowing remote code execution.

For example, recently a critical RCE affecting a Book Library extension leaving over 8000 sites hacked within few hours of disclosure.

Layered Privilege Escalations

Sophisticated attackers invest time studying complex interactions between Joomla core modules, plugins, ACL layouts etc. to find escalation paths.

For instance compromising a Mini-blog component to edit other comments due to missing authorizations or gaining Super User access via user registration flaws.

This multi-stage intrusion prevents detection allowing prolonged data thefts and backdoor access.

Counter-Defenses Evasion

If hackers gain access but find scanning tools or WAF protection, they work to evade them.

Techniques include encoders and packers obfuscating malware executables, 1854 bunker panels hiding phishing pages, detecting security tools using HTTP fingerprints etc. to operate stealthily.

Next we look at efficient Joomla website security scanners as part of defense against these threats.

Top 8 Automated Joomla Security Audit Tools

1. Acunetix

Favored by cybersecurity professionals, Acunetix scans detect over 3000+ Joomla CMS vulnerabilities covering:

• Insecure default configurations
• Core flaws like SQLi, XSS in multiple modules
• Dangerous third party extensions
• Malware injections in files
• Brute forcible admin interfaces

It utilizes intelligent crawling to auto-discover pages, plugins, modules for comprehensive coverage. Smart input fuzzing discovers edge cases escaping standard scanners.

The specialized Joomla report also classifies assets allowing prioritized patching as shown below:

2. Netsparker

Netsparker innovates with Proof-Based ScanningTM technology confirming vulnerabilities to minimize false positives.

It‘s advanced detection algorithms are specifically tuned to discover:

• Joomla version specific flaws – over 15 checks
• Exposed admin and configuration interfaces
• Privilege escalations via user authorization failures
• Extensions vulnerabilities through 900+ checks
• Code injections, SQLi and OS commanding issues

Detailed reports assist developers quickly debug and remediate the vulnerabilities. It also integrates well with web app firewalls and bug trackers.

3. Sucuri SiteCheck

Topping 10 million+ security tests, Sucuri SiteCheck is the go-to free website malware scanner.

It detects backdoors, hidden redirects and suspicious code injections signaling compromised Joomla sites. This allows early discovery for incident response teams to investigate and contain breaches.

Additional visibility it provides regarding:

• Application errors pointing flaws
• Blacklisting status if sending spam
• Outdated CMS and plugins
• Compromised user accounts

Integrates seamlessly via API feeds to next-gen WAF, firewalls and monitoring solutions making it invaluable security toolkit.

4. SiteGuarding

Targeting hacked websites cleanup, SiteGuarding provides smart malware detection for Joomla sites.

It sniffs anomalies in files, metadata and database statements indicative of hidden backdoors. The continuous heuristics analysis adapts to emerging obfuscation techniques zero-day threats employ escaping traditional scanners.

Optimized algorithms scale security tests to thousands of website assets making it apt for large enterprises. Issues discovered include:

• Defacements identifying unauthorized content edits
• Spam campaigns signaling traffic redirection
• Cryptomining code running botnet scripts

Easy plugins also available for popular CMS, eCommerce and forums.

5. Wordfence Falcon

Offering the premium Wordfence security to Joomla websites, Falcon leverages crowdsourced firewall rules protecting against over 7000+ vulnerabilities.

It detects multiple threats:

• Database injections priming credential theft
• Local File Include attacks revealing system files
• Remote Code Execution via web shell uploads
• Complex multi-stage penetration techniques

Additional protection against brute force login attempts, country blocking and scan blocking provides comprehensive defense of your Joomla investment.

6. Joomla Security Check

Joomla Security Check focuses on security best practices going beyond just vulnerability assessments.

It analyzes admin configurations, file permissions, database visibility etc against recommended baselines. Checks including:

• PHP version out of support risks
• Admin login protections
• Disabled error reporting suppressing investigations
• SSL implementation issues

This allows hardening your Joomla site as per industry standards. It also monitors website blacklisting providing timely alerts.

Easy-install extensions make continuous auditing feasible without complex setups.

7. Pentest-Tools

Pentest-Tools conduct over 850+ vulnerability tests tailored to expose Joomla flaws including:

• Version detection aiding social engineering attacks
• Default file exposures allowing system access
• Insecure admin cookies capture triggering account hijacks
• Path disclosures revealing hosting environments

It‘s intelligent algorithms also detect 04+ variants confirming exposure risks. Consolidated reporting helps administrators action remediation effectively.

8. HackerTarget

While primarily a network security tool, HackerTarget offers a basic Joomla scanner useful for starter checks including:

• Sample file leakage showing sensitive data patterns
• Core version identification
• Hidden unwanted redirects
• Malware JavaScript injections

Easy integration with vulnerability management programs allows scheduling recurring scans discovering misconfigurations and new threats.

Table: Comparing Key Joomla Website Security Scanners

As visible Joomla specialized scanners like Acunetix and Netsparker provide comprehensive vulnerability assessments. While tools like Sucuri and SiteGuarding focus on malware detection.

Hence consider combination for periodic in-depth security audits safeguarding your website.

Remediating Joomla Vulnerabilities in 3 Steps

The crucial next step is to fix the vulnerabilities unearthed during the Joomla security testing phase.

Here is systematic remediation plan protecting your website:

Step 01: Review Critical Security Alerts

Prioritize vulnerabilities that can allow easy remote exploitation having high and critical severity. For example -SQL injections, remote code execution bugs, reflective XSS all enable attackers gaining foothold on your servers.

Identify affected assets – admin modules, plugins, templates etc. Check if existing firewall policies offer protection for these vulnerabilities.

Step 02: Patch Software Flaws

For core Joomla application flaws and insecure third party extensions, update/patch them to the latest fixed software versions.

Browse the CVE database for vulnerability details and available fixes. Joomla is quick to publish security releases which must be installed as top priority.

Also auto update extensions or replace vulnerable ones proactively protecting your website.

Step 03: Harden Configurations

Issues like unprotected admin pages, disabled error reporting etc require hardening your configurations.

Common measures include:

• Restrict admin folder access via .htaccess
• Leverage security extensions providing protections
• Enable login CAPTCHAs, MFA and track failed logins
• Setup file integrity monitoring for unauthorized tampering

Schedule recurrent security testing to ensure new threats don‘t emerge jeopardizing your website.

Summarizing Joomla Security Best Practices

Joomla security requires continuous actions across these key focal points spanning prevention, detection and recovery:

• Inventory extensions identifying vulnerable ones needing replacements
• Perform input sanitization and output encoding to block XSS/SQLi attempts
• Practice least privilege access model for users minimizing insider risks
• Establish website security baseline helping audit hardening levels
• Backups and disaster recovery provisions for quick restoration
• Layered defenses via WAF, VPN, malware scanning etc

Plan periodic penetration testing rehearsing Subresource Integrity attacks, privilege escalations and evasion techniques.

Actively participate in Joomla security groups monitoring early vulnerability disclosure coordinated via CERT advisories protecting your website.

Key Takeaways on Joomla Security Audits

With cyber attacks targeting CMS platforms showing no signs of abating, comprehensive security strategy is must for business websites powered by Joomla. Periodic scanning coupled with continuous event monitoring allows managing risks proactively.

• Utilize specialized scanners evaluating complete Joomla environment – core, extensions, web server, files etc.
• Schedule recurring scans along with malware detection during website development and post production stages
• Prioritize vulnerabilities allowing easy remote exploitation targeting them first

Stay safe from motivated hackers attempting unauthorized access, data thefts or ransomware attacks by adopting tools and practices shared in this guide.

What‘s your experience with securing Joomla websites? What other vulnerabilities databases, threat intelligence feeds do you monitor? Please share them in comments below to help community.