CVE-2026-22464: My Auctions Allegro File Inclusion Flaw

CVE-2026-22464 Overview

CVE-2026-22464 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the "My auctions allegro" WordPress plugin (my-auctions-allegro-free-edition) developed by wphocus. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files from the server through manipulated input parameters, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, or in some cases, remote code execution if combined with other attack vectors.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage this Local File Inclusion vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, configuration data, and other critical information stored on the WordPress installation.

Affected Products

• My auctions allegro WordPress plugin versions through 3.6.33
• WordPress installations running the my-auctions-allegro-free-edition plugin
• All versions from initial release through <= 3.6.33

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-22 - CVE-2026-22464 published to NVD
• 2026-01-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-22464

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in PHP include or require statements, allowing attackers to manipulate the file path and include arbitrary local files from the server.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous because they can expose:

• WordPress configuration files (wp-config.php) containing database credentials
• Server configuration files (/etc/passwd, .htaccess)
• Log files that may contain sensitive information
• Other PHP files that could be leveraged for further exploitation

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient input validation and sanitization in the My auctions allegro plugin. When the plugin processes file inclusion requests, it fails to properly validate or restrict the file paths that can be included. This allows an attacker to use path traversal sequences or direct file references to include files outside the intended directory scope.

PHP's include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() functions are particularly susceptible when user input is passed directly or with insufficient filtering.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability involves sending specially crafted requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. An attacker can manipulate parameters that are used in file inclusion operations to traverse directories and access sensitive files on the server.

Typical exploitation involves using directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to navigate outside the plugin's directory structure and include system files or WordPress configuration files. The attack can be performed remotely by any unauthenticated or authenticated user, depending on the specific vulnerable endpoint's access controls.

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-22464

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual file access patterns in web server logs showing directory traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/)
• HTTP requests containing references to sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or log files
• Unexpected plugin behavior or error messages revealing file paths
• Log entries showing attempted access to files outside the plugin directory

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for path traversal attack patterns targeting the My auctions allegro plugin
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress configuration files
• Review Apache/Nginx access logs for requests containing LFI-related patterns in plugin URLs
• Deploy intrusion detection rules to identify directory traversal sequences in HTTP requests

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the WordPress installation and monitor for anomalous file access patterns
• Configure alerts for any access attempts to wp-config.php or system files through web requests
• Implement real-time monitoring of plugin directories for unauthorized file reads
• Use security plugins to monitor and log all plugin-related file operations

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-22464

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the My auctions allegro plugin immediately if running version 3.6.33 or earlier
• Review server logs for any signs of exploitation attempts
• Check for unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Consider rotating database credentials and WordPress secret keys if compromise is suspected
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block path traversal attempts

Patch Information

As of the published date (2026-01-22), users should check the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest patch information and update guidance. Users should update to a patched version as soon as one becomes available from the plugin developer.

Workarounds

• Disable the My auctions allegro plugin until a security patch is released
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the plugin
• Restrict file system permissions to limit the impact of potential LFI exploitation
• Use PHP security configurations such as open_basedir to restrict file access scope

# WordPress configuration hardening example
# Add to wp-config.php to restrict file operations
# Ensure proper file permissions on sensitive files

# Set restrictive permissions on wp-config.php
chmod 400 wp-config.php

# Add open_basedir restriction in php.ini or .htaccess
# php_value open_basedir /var/www/html/wordpress/

# Block suspicious requests via .htaccess
# RewriteEngine On
# RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
# RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd|proc/self) [NC]
# RewriteRule .* - [F,L]