Weakness (CWE)
CWE-98: PHP Remote File Inclusion"
The PHP application receives input from an upstream component, but it does not restrict or incorrectly restricts the input before its usage in "require," "include," or similar functions.
How to prevent it (8 mitigations)
-
Architecture and Design
Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid [REF-1482].
-
Architecture and Design
When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
For example, ID 1 could map to "inbox.txt" and ID 2 could map to "profile.txt". Features such as the ESAPI AccessReferenceMap [REF-185] provide this capability.
-
Architecture and Design
For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
-
Architecture and Design, Operation
Run the code in a "jail" or similar sandbox environment that enforces strict boundaries between the process and the operating system. This may effectively restrict which files can be accessed in a particular directory or which commands can be executed by the software.
OS-level examples include the Unix chroot jail, AppArmor, and SELinux. In general, managed code may provide some protection. For example, java.io.FilePermission in the Java SecurityManager allows the software to specify restrictions on file operations.
This may not be a feasible solution, and it only limits the impact to the operating system; the rest of the application may still be subject to compromise.
Be careful to avoid CWE-243 and other weaknesses related to jails.
-
Architecture and Design, Operation
Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks [REF-76]. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.
-
Implementation
Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does.
When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue."
Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
When validating filenames, use stringent lists that limit the character set to be used. If feasible, only allow a single "." character in the filename to avoid weaknesses such as CWE-23, and exclude directory separators such as "/" to avoid CWE-36. Use a list of allowable file extensions, which will help to avoid CWE-434.
Do not rely exclusively on a filtering mechanism that removes potentially dangerous characters. This is equivalent to a denylist, which may be incomplete (CWE-184). For example, filtering "/" is insufficient protection if the filesystem also supports the use of "\" as a directory separator. Another possible error could occur when the filtering is applied in a way that still produces dangerous data (CWE-182). For example, if "../" sequences are removed from the ".../...//" string in a sequential fashion, two instances of "../" would be removed from the original string, but the remaining characters would still form the "../" string.
-
Architecture and Design, Operation
Store library, include, and utility files outside of the web document root, if possible. Otherwise, store them in a separate directory and use the web server's access control capabilities to prevent attackers from directly requesting them. One common practice is to define a fixed constant in each calling program, then check for the existence of the constant in the library/include file; if the constant does not exist, then the file was directly requested, and it can exit immediately.
This significantly reduces the chance of an attacker being able to bypass any protection mechanisms that are in the base program but not in the include files. It will also reduce the attack surface.
-
Architecture and Design, Implementation
Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter your software: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, reverse DNS lookups, query results, request headers, URL components, e-mail, files, filenames, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Remember that such inputs may be obtained indirectly through API calls.
Many file inclusion problems occur because the programmer assumed that certain inputs could not be modified, especially for cookies and URL components.
Source: MITRE CWE-98
66 results · Clear filters · Feed
-
Medium 5.9
Noptin <= 4.4.3 - Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion via 'the_template_path' Merge-Tag Attribute via Stored Subscriber first_name
The Noptin – Newsletter, New Post Notifications & Email Automation plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 4.4.3 via the 'noptin_fields[first_name]' parameter parameter. This makes it possible for unaut…
-
Medium 6.5
WordPress Unlimited Elements For Elementor (Free Widgets, Addons, Templates) plugin <= 2.0.26 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Unlimited Elements Unlimited Elements For Elementor (Free Widgets, Addons, Templates) unlimited-elements-for-elementor allows PHP Local Fi…
-
Medium 5.9
Bit Flows: AI Agent Automation & Integrations for Forms, CRM, eCommerce, Google Sheets, and More <= 1.31.0 - Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion via 'webhook' and 'body' Parameters
The Bit Flows: AI Agent Automation & Integrations for Forms, CRM, eCommerce, Google Sheets, and More plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.31.0 via the 'image (any body field referenced by the Image…
-
Medium 6.5
C97net qEngine CMS through 6.0.0, Kemana Directory through 1.5.6, Cart Engine through 3.0.0 Local File Inclusion via admin/task.php
C97net qEngine CMS through 6.0.0, Kemana Directory through 1.5.6, and Cart Engine through 3.0.0 contain a local file inclusion vulnerability in the run parameter of admin/task.php. Authenticated administrators can supply directory traversal sequences in the r…
-
Medium 6.5
ArmorX Global Technology｜ArmorX Spam - Local File Inclusion
ArmorX Spam developed by ArmorX Global Technology has a Local File Inclusion vulnerability. Authenticated remote attackers can exploit path traversal to cause the application to include PHP files outside the intended directory.
-
Medium 6.5
WordPress WP Mailster plugin <= 1.9.1.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in WP Mailster WP Mailster wp-mailster allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects WP Mailster: from n/a through 1.9.1.0.
-
Medium 5.3
YOURLS: Unauthenticated File Inclusion
YOURLS is a self-hosted, customizable URL shortener written in PHP. Prior to 1.10.5, yourls_get_request() extracted the request path without sanitization, after which yourls_sanitize_url() and yourls_esc_url() preserved dot and slash traversal sequences befor…
-
Medium 6.6
All Bootstrap Blocks 1.3.20 - 1.3.31 - Contributor+ LFI via lightspeed Block Attributes
The All Bootstrap Blocks WordPress plugin through 1.3.31 does not validate a block attribute before using it to build a filesystem path that is included at render time, allowing users with contributor-level access and above to include arbitrary local files, d…
-
Medium 6.6
Events Manager <= 7.3.7.4 - Authenticated (Administrator+) Local File Inclusion via 'dbem_data[updates]' Array Keys
The Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings, Tickets, and more! plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 7.3.7.4 via the em_options_save function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with adm…
-
Medium 6.6
WordPress WP Cafe Pro plugin < 3.0.15 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Author Local File Inclusion in WP Cafe Pro < 3.0.15 versions.
-
Medium 6.6
Payment forms, Buy now buttons, and Invoicing System | GetPaid <= 2.8.56 - Authenticated (Administrator+) Local File Inclusion via Payment Form 'type' Element Field
The Payment forms, Buy now buttons, and Invoicing System | GetPaid plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.56 via the getpaid_payment_form_element function. This makes it possible for authenticated …
-
Medium 5.1
Local File Inclusion in Quick.CMS
Quick.CMS is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion (LFI) in the admin.php endpoint via the p parameter. An authenticated attacker with admin privileges can include arbitrary files located within the application's directory structure via a crafted HTTP request. S…
-
Medium 4.3
SourceCodester Online Book Store System Administrative index.php php file inclusion
A vulnerability was detected in SourceCodester Online Book Store System 1.0. The affected element is an unknown function of the file /admin/index.php of the component Administrative Interface. Performing a manipulation of the argument page results in improper…
-
Medium 6.6
HappyForms <= 1.26.12 - Authenticated (Admin+) Local File Inclusion
The Happyforms – Form Builder for WordPress: Drag & Drop Contact Forms, Surveys, Payments & Multipurpose Forms plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.26.12 via the happyforms_get_form_partial() funct…
-
Medium 6.6
WPFunnels <= 3.12.7 - Authenticated (Administrator+) Local File Inclusion via 'logKey' Parameter
The WPFunnels – Funnel Builder for WooCommerce with Checkout & One Click Upsell plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 3.12.7 via the 'logKey' parameter parameter. This makes it possible for authentica…
-
Medium 4.3
RTMKit <= 2.0.7 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Limited Local File Inclusion via 'template' Parameter
The RTMKit (rometheme-for-elementor) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 2.0.7 This is due to insufficient path validation on the 'template' parameter in the render_templates AJAX endpoint, which is use…
-
Medium 6.2
Joomla! Component Easy Shop 1.2.3 Local File Inclusion
Joomla! Component Easy Shop 1.2.3 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by supplying base64-encoded file paths. Attackers can send GET requests to index.php with the option parameter set to…
-
Medium 6.3
CakePHP: View::element() is missing a path containment check
CakePHP is a rapid development framework for PHP. In versions 4.5.11 and earlier, 4.6.0 through 4.6.3, 5.0.0 through 5.1.6, 5.2.0 through 5.2.12, and 5.3.0 through 5.3.5, View::_getElementFileName() does not check that the resolved element path is within the …
-
Medium 6.2
WordPress Plugin Abtest Local File Inclusion via abtest_admin.php
WordPress Plugin Abtest contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to include arbitrary files by manipulating the action parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to abtest_admin.php with malicious action values to in…
-
Medium 6.2
WordPress Brandfolder Plugin 3.0 Local File Inclusion via callback.php
WordPress Brandfolder plugin version 3.0 and earlier contains a local file inclusion vulnerability in callback.php that allows unauthenticated attackers to include arbitrary files by manipulating the wp_abspath parameter. Attackers can supply path traversal s…
-
Medium 6.2
WordPress Dharma Booking 2.28.3 Local File Inclusion via proccess.php
WordPress Dharma Booking 2.28.3 and earlier contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to include arbitrary files by manipulating the gateway parameter. Attackers can supply file paths with directory traversal sequence…
-
Medium 6.2
WordPress IMDb Profile Widget 1.0.8 Local File Inclusion via pic.php
WordPress IMDb Profile Widget 1.0.8 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by manipulating the url parameter. Attackers can supply directory traversal sequences in GET requests to pic.php to…
-
Medium 6.2
WordPress Plugin Photocart Link 1.6 Local File Inclusion via decode.php
WordPress Plugin Photocart Link 1.6 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by exploiting insufficient input validation in decode.php. Attackers can supply base64-encoded file paths in the 'i…
-
Medium 6.2
WP Vault 0.8.6.6 Local File Inclusion via wpv-image Parameter
WP Vault 0.8.6.6 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by exploiting an unescaped parameter in the include functionality. Attackers can supply directory traversal sequences through the wpv-…
-
Medium 6.2
Simple Fields 0.2-0.3.5 Local File Inclusion via wp_abspath
Simple Fields 0.2 through 0.3.5 WordPress Plugin contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by injecting null bytes into the wp_abspath parameter on PHP versions before 5.3.4. Attackers can supp…
-
Medium 6.2
ProcessMaker 3.5.4 Local File Inclusion via Path Traversal
ProcessMaker 3.5.4 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by exploiting improper path traversal validation. Attackers can send requests with directory traversal sequences to access sensitive…
-
Medium 6.2
WordPress Plugin Supsystic Backup 2.3.9 Local File Inclusion
Supsystic Backup 2.3.9 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read and delete arbitrary files by manipulating the download path parameter. Attackers can modify the download parameter in admin.php requests with d…
-
Medium 5.5
WordPress Plugin ultimate-member 2.1.3 Local File Inclusion
WordPress Plugin ultimate-member 2.1.3 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to include arbitrary files by manipulating the pack parameter in class-admin-upgrade.php. Attackers can send POST requests with malicious …
-
Medium 6.2
WordPress Plugin cab-fare-calculator 1.0.3 Local File Inclusion
WordPress Plugin cab-fare-calculator 1.0.3 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by manipulating the controller parameter in tblight.php. Attackers can supply path traversal sequences throu…
-
Medium 6.5CVE-2026-30480 Public exploit
A Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the NFSen module (nfsen.inc.php) of LibreNMS 22.11.0-23-gd091788f2 allows…
-
Medium 6.5
Emlog: Local File Inclusion in plugin.php via unsanitized plugin parameter
Emlog is an open source website building system. In versions 2.6.2 and prior, a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability exists in admin/plugin.php at line 80. The $plugin parameter from the GET request is directly used in a require_once path without proper s…
-
Medium 6.5CVE-2026-34036 Public exploit
Dolibarr Core Discloses Sensitive Data via Authenticated Local File Inclusion in selectobject.php
Dolibarr is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) software package. In versions 22.0.4 and prior, there is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the core AJAX endpoint /core/ajax/selectobject.php. By manipula…
-
Medium 6.2
HeidiSQL 9.5.0.5196 Denial of Service via Preferences
HeidiSQL 9.5.0.5196 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows local attackers to crash the application by supplying an excessively long file path in the logging preferences. Attackers can input a buffer-overflow payload through the SQL log file p…
-
Medium 6.5
Uptime Kuma: SSTI in Notification Templates Allows Arbitrary File Read (Incomplete Fix for GHSA-vffh-c9pq-4crh)
Uptime Kuma is an open source, self-hosted monitoring tool. In versions 1.23.0 through 2.2.0, the fix from GHSA-vffh-c9pq-4crh doesn't fully work to preventServer-side Template Injection (SSTI). The three mitigations added to the Liquid engine (root, relative…
-
Medium 5.5
mPDF 7.0 - Local File Inclusion
mPDF 7.0 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows attackers to read arbitrary system files by manipulating annotation file parameters. Attackers can generate URL-encoded or base64 payloads to include local files through crafted annotation con…
-
Medium 6.6
WordPress WordPress Social Login and Register plugin <= 7.7.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in miniOrange WordPress Social Login and Register miniorange-login-openid allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects WordPress Social…
-
Medium 6.9
FoF Pretty Mail 1.1.2 Local File Inclusion via Email Template Settings
FoF Pretty Mail 1.1.2 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows administrative users to include arbitrary server files in email templates. Attackers can exploit the template settings by inserting file inclusion payloads to read sensitive syste…
-
Medium 4.3
An issue was discovered in file index.php in Xinhu Rainrock RockOA 2.7.0 allowing attackers to gain sensitive informati…
-
Medium 6.6
WordPress Easy Invoice plugin <= 2.1.4 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in MatrixAddons Easy Invoice easy-invoice allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Easy Invoice: from n/a through <= 2.1.4.
-
Medium 5.8CVE-2025-64714 Public exploit
PrivateBin's template-switching feature allows arbitrary local file inclusion through path traversal
PrivateBin is an online pastebin where the server has zero knowledge of pasted data. Starting in version 1.7.7 and prior to version 2.0.3, an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion exists in the template-switching feature. If `templateselection` is enabled in t…