CVE-2026-22361: A-Mart PHP File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2026-22361 Overview

CVE-2026-22361 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the A-Mart WordPress theme developed by axiomthemes. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server filesystem.

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), which describes scenarios where user-supplied input is improperly used in file inclusion operations. When successfully exploited, attackers can read sensitive configuration files, access credentials, or potentially achieve remote code execution through log file poisoning or other chained techniques.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, API keys, and configuration data. In combination with other techniques, this could lead to complete site compromise.

Affected Products

• A-Mart WordPress Theme version 1.0.2 and earlier
• All installations using vulnerable A-Mart theme versions
• WordPress sites running axiomthemes A-Mart theme

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE-2026-22361 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-22361

Vulnerability Analysis

The A-Mart WordPress theme contains a PHP Local File Inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-controllable input that is subsequently used in PHP include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() statements.

While the official CWE classification references Remote File Inclusion, the actual exploitation scenario described for this vulnerability involves Local File Inclusion. This means attackers can traverse directories and include files already present on the server, such as /etc/passwd, WordPress configuration files (wp-config.php), or other sensitive data.

The network-based attack vector with high attack complexity indicates that while exploitation is possible remotely, certain conditions may need to be met for successful exploitation. Successful attacks can result in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper sanitization of user-supplied input before it is passed to PHP file inclusion functions. The A-Mart theme fails to adequately validate or restrict the file paths that can be included, allowing attackers to use path traversal sequences (such as ../) to navigate outside intended directories and include arbitrary files from the server filesystem.

Common vulnerable patterns include directly using $_GET, $_POST, or $_REQUEST parameters in include statements without proper filtering, whitelisting, or path canonicalization checks.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network against WordPress installations running the vulnerable A-Mart theme. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences to include sensitive local files.

Typical exploitation involves manipulating theme template parameters or AJAX endpoints that accept file path input. The attacker supplies a manipulated path value that traverses directories to access files outside the intended scope, such as configuration files containing database credentials or other sensitive information.

For technical details on exploitation methodology, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-22361

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, ..%5c) targeting theme files
• Access log entries showing attempts to read sensitive files like wp-config.php or /etc/passwd
• Unusual file read patterns or error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts
• Requests to A-Mart theme endpoints with suspicious parameter values containing directory traversal patterns

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal attempts in request parameters
• Monitor WordPress access logs for requests containing ../ sequences or encoded variants
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on WordPress installations to detect unauthorized configuration file access
• Configure SIEM alerts for patterns associated with LFI exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for PHP applications to capture file inclusion attempts
• Monitor for unusual access patterns to the A-Mart theme directory structure
• Set up alerting for access attempts to sensitive system files from web processes
• Review web server error logs for "file not found" or "permission denied" errors that may indicate probing attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-22361

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the A-Mart theme to a patched version when available from axiomthemes
• Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the A-Mart theme until a patch is released
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting your WordPress installation
• Restrict file system permissions to limit the impact of potential exploitation

Patch Information

Organizations should monitor for updates from axiomthemes for the A-Mart theme. The vulnerability affects A-Mart theme versions up to and including 1.0.2. Check the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest patch status and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Implement a Web Application Firewall with rules blocking common LFI patterns
• Use PHP configuration settings such as open_basedir to restrict file access scope
• Apply the principle of least privilege to web server user accounts
• Consider using a virtual patching solution until an official fix is available

# Apache ModSecurity rule to block path traversal attempts
SecRule ARGS "@contains ../" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt Detected'"

# Restrict PHP file access using open_basedir (php.ini or .htaccess)
# php_admin_value open_basedir /var/www/html:/tmp