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 8.1
WordPress Cook&Meal <= 1.2.3 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in dedalx Cook&Meal cookandmeal allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Cook&Meal: from n/a through <= 1.2.3.
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High 8.1CVE-2025-48157 Scanner template
WordPress Formality <= 1.5.9 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Michele Giorgi Formality formality allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Formality: from n/a through <= 1.5.9.
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High 8.1
WordPress Caliris <= 1.5 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in CocoBasic Caliris caliris-wp allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Caliris: from n/a through <= 1.5.
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High 8.1
WordPress Cena Store <= 2.11.26 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Cena Store cena allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Cena Store: from n/a through <= 2.11.26.
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High 7.5
WordPress FundEngine Plugin <= 1.7.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Roxnor FundEngine wp-fundraising-donation allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects FundEngine: from n/a through <= 1.7.4.
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High 7.5
WordPress SEOPress for MainWP <= 1.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Benjamin Denis SEOPress for MainWP seopress-for-mainwp allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects SEOPress for MainWP: from n/a th…
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High 8.1
WordPress Houzez theme <= 4.0.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in favethemes Houzez houzez allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Houzez: from n/a through <= 4.0.4.
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High 8.1
WordPress eventlist plugin <= 1.9.2 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ovatheme eventlist eventlist allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects eventlist: from n/a through <= 1.9.2.
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High 8.1
WordPress WP Travel Gutenberg Blocks plugin <= 3.9.0 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in WP Travel WP Travel Gutenberg Blocks wp-travel-blocks allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects WP Travel Gutenberg Blocks: from …
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High 7.5
WordPress ZoloBlocks Plugin <= 2.3.2 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in bdthemes ZoloBlocks zoloblocks allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects ZoloBlocks: from n/a through <= 2.3.2.
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High 8.1
WordPress Widget for Google Reviews <= 1.0.15 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in RadiusTheme Widget for Google Reviews business-reviews-wp allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Widget for Google Reviews: fr…
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High 8.1
WordPress Ghost Kit <= 3.4.1 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in nK Ghost Kit ghostkit allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Ghost Kit: from n/a through <= 3.4.1.
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High 7.5
WordPress Paid Member Subscriptions <= 2.15.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Cozmoslabs Paid Member Subscriptions paid-member-subscriptions allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Paid Member Subscription…
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High 7.5
WordPress CF7 WOW Styler Plugin <= 1.7.2 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Saleswonder Team: Tobias CF7 WOW Styler cf7-styler allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects CF7 WOW Styler: from n/a through <= …
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High 8.1
WordPress Support Board <= 3.8.0 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Schiocco Support Board supportboard allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Support Board: from n/a through <= 3.8.0.
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High 7.5
WordPress Newsletters plugin <= 4.10 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Tribulant Software Newsletters newsletters-lite allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Newsletters: from n/a through <= 4.10.
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High 7.5
WordPress Funnel Builder by FunnelKit Plugin <= 3.11.1 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Aman Funnel Builder by FunnelKit funnel-builder allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Funnel Builder by FunnelKit: from n/a t…
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High 8.8
Soledad <= 8.6.7 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Local File Inclusion via 'header_layout'
The Soledad theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 8.6.7 via the 'header_layout' parameter. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to include and ex…
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Medium 6.6
Woocommerce Blocks – Woolook <= 1.7.0 - Authenticated (Admin+) Local File Inclusion
The Woocommerce Blocks – Woolook plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.0 via the via the 'tab' parameter. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and ab…
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High 7.5
BizCalendar Web <= 1.1.0.53 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Local File Inclusion
The BizCalendar Web plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.0.53 via the 'bizcalv' shortcode. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to include …
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High 8.1
WordPress Unicamp Theme <= 2.6.3 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeMove Unicamp unicamp allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Unicamp: from n/a through <= 2.6.3.
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High 8.1
WordPress Makeaholic Theme <= 1.8.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeMove Makeaholic makeaholic allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Makeaholic: from n/a through <= 1.8.4.
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High 8.1
WordPress Xinterio Theme <= 4.2 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in themeStek Xinterio xinterio allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Xinterio: from n/a through <= 4.2.
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High 8.1
WordPress Urna Theme <= 2.5.7 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in thembay Urna urna allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Urna: from n/a through <= 2.5.7.
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High 7.5
WordPress CSS & JavaScript Toolbox plugin < 12.0.3 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in wipeoutmedia CSS & JavaScript Toolbox css-javascript-toolbox allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects CSS & JavaScript Toolbox: …
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High 7.5
WordPress News Magazine X <= 1.2.35 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in wproyal News Magazine X news-magazine-x allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects News Magazine X: from n/a through <= 1.2.37.
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High 8.1
WordPress VidMov <= 1.9.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in beeteam368 VidMov vidmov allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects VidMov: from n/a through <= 1.9.4.
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Critical 10.0
WordPress BeeTeam368 Extensions Plugin <= 1.9.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in beeteam368 BeeTeam368 Extensions beeteam368-extensions allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects BeeTeam368 Extensions: from n/a …
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High 8.1
WordPress WP Pipes <= 1.4.3 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThimPress WP Pipes allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects WP Pipes: from n/a through 1.4.3.
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High 8.1
WordPress IDonatePro <= 2.1.9 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeAtelier IDonatePro idonate-pro allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects IDonatePro: from n/a through <= 2.1.9.
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High 7.5
WordPress RT-Theme 18 | Extensions plugin <= 2.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in stmcan RT-Theme 18 | Extensions rt18-extensions allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects RT-Theme 18 | Extensions: from n/a thro…
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High 7.5
WordPress Gutenberg Blocks <= 3.3.1 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in PublishPress Gutenberg Blocks advanced-gutenberg allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Gutenberg Blocks: from n/a through <= …
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Critical 9.8
WordPress Geo Mashup plugin <= 1.13.16 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Dylan Kuhn Geo Mashup geo-mashup allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Geo Mashup: from n/a through <= 1.13.16.
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High 8.1
WordPress Premium Addons for KingComposer Plugin <= 1.1.1 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in octagonwebstudio Premium Addons for KingComposer premium-addons-for-kingcomposer allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Premiu…
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High 7.5
WordPress Cloud SAML SSO - Single Sign On Login <= 1.0.18 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Cloud Infrastructure Services Cloud SAML SSO - Single Sign On Login cloud-sso-single-sign-on allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue af…
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High 7.5
WordPress GravityWP - Merge Tags <= 1.4.4 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in GravityWP GravityWP - Merge Tags gravitywp-merge-tags allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects GravityWP - Merge Tags: from n/a …
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High 7.5
WordPress WP REST Cache <= 2025.1.0 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Acato WP REST Cache wp-rest-cache allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects WP REST Cache: from n/a through <= 2025.1.0.
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High 7.5
WordPress Responsive Posts Carousel WordPress Plugin Plugin <= 15.0 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in WebCodingPlace Responsive Posts Carousel Pro responsive-posts-carousel-pro allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Responsive P…
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High 8.8
WordPress Google Map Targeting Plugin <= 1.1.6 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in RealMag777 GMap Targeting gmap-targeting allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects GMap Targeting: from n/a through <= 1.1.6.
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High 7.5
WordPress JobSearch Plugin < 3.0.8 - Local File Inclusion Vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in eyecix JobSearch wp-jobsearch allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects JobSearch: from n/a through < 3.0.8.