CVE-2026-22338 Overview
CVE-2026-22338 is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the EcoBlue WordPress theme in versions 1.15 and earlier. The flaw allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files on the underlying web server without authentication. Successful exploitation can expose sensitive configuration files, including wp-config.php, and may lead to remote code execution depending on server configuration. The issue is tracked under CWE-98: Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program. Patchstack published the advisory through its WordPress vulnerability database.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can read sensitive server files and potentially execute arbitrary PHP code by abusing the EcoBlue theme's file inclusion logic.
Affected Products
- EcoBlue WordPress theme versions <= 1.15
- WordPress sites with the EcoBlue theme installed and active
- Hosting environments serving the vulnerable theme through PHP
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-17 - CVE-2026-22338 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-22338
Vulnerability Analysis
The EcoBlue theme exposes a PHP entry point that incorporates user-supplied input into a include, require, or equivalent file inclusion statement without proper validation. Because no authentication is required, any unauthenticated visitor can issue a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint. The server then resolves the supplied path and loads the referenced file within the PHP execution context. Attackers can retrieve sensitive WordPress files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication secrets.
Under certain conditions, attackers can escalate the issue to code execution. If the server is configured with file upload, log poisoning, or PHP wrappers such as php://filter or data://, the included file can deliver attacker-controlled PHP. The EPSS score for this CVE is 0.338%, reflecting moderate exploitation likelihood in the near term.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper sanitization of a filename parameter passed to a PHP file inclusion function inside the EcoBlue theme. The theme accepts a path component from the HTTP request and concatenates it into an include/require call without enforcing an allowlist or canonicalizing the path. This matches the [CWE-98] pattern where attacker-controlled input governs which file PHP loads at runtime.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network. The attacker sends an HTTP GET or POST request to a vulnerable theme endpoint and supplies a path parameter that traverses outside the intended directory, for example using ../../../../wp-config.php sequences or a PHP stream wrapper. The request requires no credentials and no user interaction. See the Patchstack advisory for EcoBlue for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-22338
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to EcoBlue theme PHP files containing path traversal sequences such as ../, encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f, or null byte injections %00.
- Requests referencing sensitive paths such as wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP wrappers like php://filter/convert.base64-encode/resource=.
- Web server access logs showing unauthenticated GET requests with file or page parameters resolving outside the theme directory.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs for query parameters that reference filesystem paths or PHP stream wrappers handled by the EcoBlue theme.
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag traversal patterns and stream wrappers in URL parameters targeting /wp-content/themes/ecoblue/.
- Correlate spikes in 200-status responses with abnormally large response sizes to identify successful file disclosure.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on outbound responses containing strings such as DB_PASSWORD, AUTH_KEY, or define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', which indicate wp-config.php exposure.
- Track file integrity for wp-content/themes/ecoblue/ to detect tampering or webshell deployment following exploitation.
- Monitor for new PHP processes spawned by the web server user immediately after suspicious LFI requests.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-22338
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable or remove the EcoBlue theme on any WordPress site running version 1.15 or earlier until a fixed release is available.
- Rotate WordPress secrets in wp-config.php and database credentials if exploitation is suspected.
- Restrict access to the WordPress installation behind a web application firewall configured to block path traversal payloads.
Patch Information
Refer to the Patchstack EcoBlue advisory for the latest vendor remediation status. Upgrade to a fixed version of the EcoBlue theme once the maintainer publishes a release beyond 1.15. Until a patch is available, treat the theme as vulnerable and apply compensating controls.
Workarounds
- Switch to an alternative WordPress theme until EcoBlue ships a patched release.
- Configure PHP with allow_url_include=Off and open_basedir restrictions to limit which files the theme can include.
- Add WAF signatures that block requests containing ../, php://, data://, or file:// within parameters destined for the EcoBlue theme.
# Example open_basedir restriction in php.ini to contain LFI impact
open_basedir = "/var/www/html/:/tmp/"
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
