CVE-2026-22412: Mikado Eona File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2026-22412 Overview

CVE-2026-22412 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Eona WordPress theme developed by Mikado-Themes. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server filesystem. This weakness is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, or other sensitive data. In some configurations, LFI vulnerabilities can be escalated to Remote Code Execution through log poisoning or other techniques.

Affected Products

Mikado-Themes Eona WordPress Theme version 1.3 and earlier
WordPress installations using the Eona theme (versions up to and including 1.3)

Discovery Timeline

2026-03-05 - CVE-2026-22412 published to NVD
2026-03-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-22412

Vulnerability Analysis

The Eona WordPress theme contains a Local File Inclusion vulnerability caused by improper sanitization of user-controlled input that is passed to PHP include or require statements. When a PHP application dynamically constructs file paths for inclusion based on user input without proper validation, attackers can manipulate these parameters to include unintended files from the server's filesystem.

In the context of WordPress themes, this type of vulnerability typically manifests in template loading mechanisms, AJAX handlers, or other dynamic file inclusion functionality where user-supplied data influences which files are loaded.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-22412 is the lack of proper input validation and sanitization when handling filename parameters that are subsequently used in PHP include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() functions. The vulnerable code fails to:

Restrict file inclusion to an allowed whitelist of files
Properly sanitize path traversal sequences (e.g., ../)
Validate that the requested file exists within expected directories

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests that manipulate the filename parameter to traverse directories and include sensitive files. Common attack patterns include:

The vulnerability allows attackers to include local files by manipulating file path parameters. Typical exploitation involves using directory traversal sequences to access files outside the intended directory, such as configuration files containing database credentials or system files like /etc/passwd. In certain scenarios, attackers may chain this vulnerability with other techniques such as log file poisoning to achieve code execution.

For detailed technical information, refer to the Patchstack security advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-22412

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual requests to WordPress theme endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..%2f
Web server logs showing attempts to access sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or .htaccess through theme parameters
Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or permission denials on system files
Requests containing null byte characters (%00) or URL-encoded traversal patterns

Detection Strategies

Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
Monitor WordPress access logs for requests to theme endpoints with suspicious file path patterns
Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
Use intrusion detection systems with signatures for PHP LFI attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable detailed logging for all requests to the Eona theme's PHP endpoints
Configure alerts for any requests containing directory traversal sequences targeting WordPress theme files
Monitor for unusual file access patterns on the web server, particularly reads of system configuration files
Review web server error logs for include/require failures that may indicate exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-22412

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Eona theme to a patched version as soon as one becomes available from Mikado-Themes
If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the Eona theme
Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting WordPress theme endpoints
Review and restrict file permissions on sensitive server files to limit exposure

Patch Information

WordPress site administrators should check for updates to the Eona theme through the WordPress admin dashboard or directly from Mikado-Themes. Monitor the Patchstack vulnerability database for updates on patch availability and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

Implement server-level restrictions using .htaccess or web server configuration to block requests containing path traversal patterns
Use a Web Application Firewall to filter malicious requests before they reach the application
Apply the principle of least privilege to file permissions, ensuring the web server user cannot access unnecessary system files
Consider using PHP's open_basedir directive to restrict file operations to specific directories

bash

# Example .htaccess rules to block path traversal attempts
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd|proc/self) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>

# PHP configuration to restrict file inclusion paths
# Add to php.ini or .user.ini
# open_basedir = /var/www/html/