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)
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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].
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
1,361 results · Feed
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High 7.5
WordPress Cinerama theme <= 2.9 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Edge-Themes Cinerama cinerama allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Cinerama: from n/a through <= 2.9.
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High 7.5
WordPress Puca theme <= 2.6.39 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Puca puca allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Puca: from n/a through <= 2.6.39.
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High 7.5
WordPress Greenmart theme <= 4.2.11 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Greenmart greenmart allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Greenmart: from n/a through <= 4.2.11.
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High 7.5
WordPress Aora theme <= 1.3.15 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Aora aora allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Aora: from n/a through <= 1.3.15.
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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…
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High 7.5
WordPress CookieHint WP plugin <= 1.0.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in reDim GmbH CookieHint WP cookiehint-wp allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects CookieHint WP: from n/a through <= 1.0.0.
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High 7.5
WordPress CedCommerce Integration for Good Market plugin <= 1.0.6 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in cedcommerce CedCommerce Integration for Good Market ced-good-market-integration allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects CedComm…
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High 8.1
WordPress Docket Cache plugin <= 24.07.03 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Nawawi Jamili Docket Cache docket-cache allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Docket Cache: from n/a through <= 24.07.03.
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High 7.5
WordPress Subscribe to Unlock Lite plugin <= 1.3.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in WP Shuffle Subscribe to Unlock Lite subscribe-to-unlock-lite allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Subscribe to Unlock Lite: …
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High 7.5
WordPress Zota theme <= 1.3.14 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Zota zota allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Zota: from n/a through <= 1.3.14.
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High 7.5
WordPress Fana theme <= 1.1.35 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Fana fana allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Fana: from n/a through <= 1.1.35.
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High 7.5
WordPress Bookory theme <= 2.2.7 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in pavothemes Bookory bookory allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Bookory: from n/a through <= 2.2.7.
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High 7.8
CMSimple 5.4 Authenticated Local File Inclusion Remote Code Execution
CMSimple 5.4 contains an authenticated local file inclusion vulnerability that allows remote attackers to manipulate PHP session files and execute arbitrary code. Attackers can leverage the vulnerability by changing the functions file path and uploading malic…
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High 7.5
WordPress Nika theme <= 1.2.14 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Nika nika allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Nika: from n/a through <= 1.2.14.
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High 7.5
WordPress Diza theme <= 1.3.15 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Diza diza allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Diza: from n/a through <= 1.3.15.
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High 7.5
WordPress TheGem Theme Elements (for Elementor) plugin <= 5.10.5.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in CodexThemes TheGem Theme Elements (for Elementor) thegem-elements-elementor.This issue affects TheGem Theme Elements (for Elementor): from…
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High 8.8
A Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability exists in the Webmail Classic UI of Zimbra Collaboration (ZCS) 10.0 and 10.1…
KEV Jan 22, 2026 -
High 8.8
Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery <= 3.59.12 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Local File Inclusion via 'template'
The Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 3.59.12 via the 'template' shortcode parameter. This is due to insufficient path validation that…
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High 8.1
WordPress Traveler theme < 3.2.6 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in shinetheme Traveler traveler allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Traveler: from n/a through < 3.2.6.
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High 8.1
WordPress ListingPro theme < 2.9.10 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in CridioStudio ListingPro listingpro allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects ListingPro: from n/a through < 2.9.10.
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High 8.1
WordPress PenNews theme < 6.7.3 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in PenciDesign PenNews pennews allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects PenNews: from n/a through < 6.7.3.
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High 8.1
WordPress Jannah theme <= 7.6.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in TieLabs Jannah jannah allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Jannah: from n/a through <= 7.6.0.
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High 7.5
WordPress XStore theme < 9.6.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in 8theme XStore xstore allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects XStore: from n/a through < 9.6.1.
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High 8.1
WordPress Inset theme <= 1.18.0 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes Inset inset allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Inset: from n/a through <= 1.18.0.
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High 7.5
WordPress Ray Enterprise Translation plugin <= 1.7.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Jiro Sasamoto Ray Enterprise Translation lingotek-translation allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Ray Enterprise Translatio…
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High 7.5
WordPress Task Manager plugin <= 3.0.2 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Agence web Eoxia – Montpellier Task Manager task-manager allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Task Manager: from n/a through…
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High 8.1
WordPress Anchor smooth scroll plugin <= 1.0.2 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Processby Anchor smooth scroll anchor-smooth-scroll allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Anchor smooth scroll: from n/a thro…
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High 8.1
WordPress Giardino theme <= 1.1.10 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Giardino giardino allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Giardino: from n/a through <= 1.1.10.
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High 8.1
WordPress MinimogWP theme <= 3.9.6 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeMove MinimogWP minimog allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects MinimogWP: from n/a through <= 3.9.6.
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High 8.1
WordPress Riode | Multi-Purpose WooCommerce theme <= 1.6.23 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in don-themes Riode riode allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Riode: from n/a through <= 1.6.23.
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High 8.1
WordPress Rosalinda theme <= 1.2.3 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Rosalinda rosalinda allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Rosalinda: from n/a through <= 1.2.3.
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High 8.1
WordPress Pinevale theme <= 1.0.14 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Pinevale pinevale allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Pinevale: from n/a through <= 1.0.14.
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High 8.1
WordPress Renewal theme <= 1.2.2 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Renewal renewal allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Renewal: from n/a through <= 1.2.2.
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High 8.1
WordPress Katelyn theme <= 1.0.10 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Katelyn katelyn allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Katelyn: from n/a through <= 1.0.10.
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High 8.1
WordPress smart SEO theme <= 2.12 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes smart SEO smartSEO allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects smart SEO: from n/a through <= 2.12.
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High 8.1
WordPress Kicker theme <= 2.2.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Kicker kicker allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Kicker: from n/a through <= 2.2.0.
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High 8.1
WordPress DetailX theme <= 1.10.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes DetailX detailx allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects DetailX: from n/a through <= 1.10.0.
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High 8.1
WordPress Pubzinne theme <= 1.0.12 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Pubzinne pubzinne allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Pubzinne: from n/a through <= 1.0.12.
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High 8.1
WordPress DJ Rainflow theme <= 1.3.13 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes DJ Rainflow dj-rainflow allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects DJ Rainflow: from n/a through <= 1.3.13.
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High 8.1
WordPress W&D theme <= 1.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes W&D wd allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects W&D: from n/a through <= 1.0.