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 Theme Test Drive plugin <= 2.9.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Theme Test Drive <= 2.9.1 versions.
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High 8.1
WordPress Vavo Core plugin <= 2.3.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Vavo Core <= 2.3.0 versions.
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High 8.1
WordPress Foton Core plugin <= 1.1.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Foton Core <= 1.1.1 versions.
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High 8.1
WordPress Biagiotti Core plugin <= 2.1.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Biagiotti Core <= 2.1.1 versions.
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High 8.1
WordPress Barista theme <= 2.5.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Barista <= 2.5.1 versions.
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High 8.1
WordPress Geo Mashup plugin <= 1.13.18 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Geo Mashup <= 1.13.18 versions.
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High 8.1
WordPress e2pdf plugin <= 1.32.40 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in e2pdf <= 1.32.40 versions.
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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 …
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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…
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High 7.5
WordPress Vino theme <= 1.9 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Contributor Local File Inclusion in Vino <= 1.9 versions.
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High 7.5
WordPress Tonda Core plugin <= 2.1.2 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Contributor Local File Inclusion in Tonda Core <= 2.1.2 versions.
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High 8.8CVE-2026-44177 Scanner template
Kirby: Pre-authentication path traversal and PHP file inclusion during user lookup
Kirby is an open-source content management system. In versions 5.3.0 and above but prior to 5.4.1, Kirby did not correctly validate the provided user ID, resulting in a path traversal vulnerability. Version 5.3.0 introduced a performance improvement to the Us…
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High 7.7
Emlog Local File Inclusion (LFI)
Emlog is an open source website building system. In 2.6.13 and earlier, the article publishing interface stores a path-traversal template parameter from api_controller.php without validation, and log_controller.php later checks file_exists and calls include V…
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High 7.5
WordPress SetSail theme <= 2.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Select-Themes SetSail setsail allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects SetSail: from n/a through <= 2.1.
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High 7.5
WordPress Struktur theme < 2.7 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Select-Themes Struktur allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects Struktur: from n/a before 2.7.
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High 7.5
WordPress Brook theme <= 2.9.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeMove Brook brook allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Brook: from n/a through <= 2.9.0.
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High 7.5
WordPress Overworld theme <= 1.5 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Edge-Themes Overworld overworld allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Overworld: from n/a through <= 1.5.
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High 7.5
WordPress Kitchor theme <= 1.4.3 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in themelexus Kitchor kitchor allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Kitchor: from n/a through <= 1.4.3.
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High 7.5
WordPress Struktur Core plugin < 2.7 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Select-Themes Struktur Core allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects Struktur Core: from n/a before 2.7.
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High 7.5
WordPress TheGem Theme Elements (for Elementor) plugin < 5.12.1.1 - 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) allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects TheGem Theme Elements (for Elementor…
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High 7.5
WordPress Leedo theme <= 3.0.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in VLThemes Leedo leedo allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Leedo: from n/a through <= 3.0.0.
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High 8.1
WordPress RT-Theme 18 | Extensions plugin <= 2.5 - 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 Billey theme <= 2.1.8 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeMove Billey billey allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Billey: from n/a through <= 2.1.8.
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High 7.5
WordPress Aalto theme <= 1.8 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Edge-Themes Aalto aalto allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Aalto: from n/a through <= 1.8.
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High 7.5
WordPress Tonda theme <= 2.5 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Select-Themes Tonda tonda allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Tonda: from n/a through <= 2.5.
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High 7.5
WordPress Golo Framework plugin <= 1.7.3 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in uxper Golo Framework golo-framework allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Golo Framework: from n/a through <= 1.7.3.
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High 7.5
WordPress Dør theme <= 2.4.1 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Mikado-Themes Dør dor allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Dør: from n/a through <= 2.4.1.
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High 7.5
WordPress Nuss theme <= 1.3.6 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in uxper Nuss nuss allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Nuss: from n/a through <= 1.3.6.
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High 7.5
WordPress Flow theme <= 1.8 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Elated-Themes Flow flow allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Flow: from n/a through <= 1.8.
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High 7.5
WordPress NewsPlus Shortcodes plugin <= 4.2.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in SaurabhSharma NewsPlus Shortcodes newsplus-shortcodes allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects NewsPlus Shortcodes: from n/a thr…
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High 7.5
WordPress Aqua theme <= 5.1.2 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in jwsthemes Aqua aqua allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Aqua: from n/a through <= 5.1.2.
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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…
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High 7.5
LA-Studio Element Kit for Elementor <= 1.6.1 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Local File Inclusion via 'progress_type' Widget Setting
The LA-Studio Element Kit for Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.6.1 via the get_type_template function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level acces…
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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…
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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…
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Low 2.3
PHPIPAM Authenticated LFI
PHPIPAM is affected by an authenticated local file inclusion vulnerability that allows users with access to the API to execute/include arbitrary PHP files on the web server's file system. The API is not enabled by default on installations.
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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…
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High 7.5
WordPress Shopify plugin <= 1.0.0 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Contributor Local File Inclusion in Shopify <= 1.0.0 versions.
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High 7.5
WordPress SportsPress Pro plugin <= 2.7.29 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Contributor Local File Inclusion in SportsPress Pro <= 2.7.29 versions.
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High 8.1
WordPress Audrey theme <= 1.5 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Audrey <= 1.5 versions.