CVE-2026-24390: Kentha Elementor Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2026-24390 Overview

CVE-2026-24390 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Kentha Elementor Widgets plugin developed by QantumThemes for WordPress. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, which can allow attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous as they can lead to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, and potentially escalate to remote code execution when combined with other attack techniques.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive files from the server, potentially exposing database credentials, WordPress configuration data, and other critical information that could lead to complete site compromise.

Affected Products

• QantumThemes Kentha Elementor Widgets versions prior to 3.1
• WordPress installations with the kentha-elementor plugin installed
• Websites using Kentha theme with Elementor page builder integration

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-22 - CVE CVE-2026-24390 published to NVD
• 2026-01-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-24390

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The Kentha Elementor Widgets plugin fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input before passing it to PHP's file inclusion functions such as include(), include_once(), require(), or require_once().

When a WordPress plugin accepts user input that determines which file to include without adequate validation, attackers can manipulate these parameters to traverse the directory structure and include arbitrary files from the local filesystem. This can expose sensitive configuration files, PHP source code, system files like /etc/passwd, and potentially WordPress-specific files such as wp-config.php.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Kentha Elementor Widgets plugin. The plugin likely accepts a parameter (such as a template name or component identifier) that is used to construct a file path for inclusion. Without proper filtering of directory traversal sequences (like ../) and validation against an allowlist of permitted files, attackers can manipulate this input to include unintended files.

The plugin should implement strict validation to ensure only expected template files from designated directories can be included, but this security control is either missing or improperly implemented in versions prior to 3.1.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed by an authenticated or potentially unauthenticated user depending on how the vulnerable functionality is exposed within the plugin. The attacker would craft a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences to navigate outside the intended template directory and include sensitive files.

Typical exploitation involves manipulating GET or POST parameters, AJAX endpoints, or shortcode attributes that are processed by the vulnerable file inclusion logic. For example, an attacker might attempt to include ../../../wp-config.php or traverse to system files to gather reconnaissance information about the server environment.

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Local File Inclusion Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-24390

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing directory traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting the Kentha Elementor plugin endpoints
• Web server logs showing attempts to access sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or WordPress core files through plugin parameters
• Unexpected file access patterns in PHP error logs related to the kentha-elementor plugin directory

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for path traversal attempts targeting /wp-content/plugins/kentha-elementor/ paths
• Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Review server access logs for suspicious parameter values containing encoded traversal sequences or references to system files
• Deploy intrusion detection rules that alert on LFI attack patterns specific to WordPress plugin endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the WordPress installation to capture plugin-related requests
• Configure real-time alerting for directory traversal attack patterns in security monitoring tools
• Implement application-level logging to track file inclusion attempts within the plugin
• Review PHP error logs regularly for file not found errors that may indicate exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-24390

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Kentha Elementor Widgets plugin to version 3.1 or later immediately
• Audit web server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts prior to patching
• If unable to update immediately, consider temporarily disabling the kentha-elementor plugin until patching is possible
• Review WordPress user accounts for any unauthorized access or privilege escalation
• Change database credentials and WordPress secret keys if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

QantumThemes has addressed this vulnerability in Kentha Elementor Widgets version 3.1. The patch implements proper input validation and sanitization to prevent directory traversal attacks on file inclusion functions.

To apply the fix:

1. Navigate to the WordPress admin dashboard
2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Locate "Kentha Elementor Widgets" and click "Update Now"
4. Alternatively, download the latest version from the official source and update manually

For additional details, consult the Patchstack Local File Inclusion Advisory.

Workarounds

• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block requests containing directory traversal patterns targeting the Kentha Elementor plugin
• Restrict direct access to the plugin directory via .htaccess or server configuration if specific functionality is not required
• Apply PHP open_basedir restrictions to limit file inclusion to the WordPress installation directory
• Consider temporarily deactivating the plugin if the patched version cannot be immediately applied

# Example .htaccess rule to block directory traversal attempts
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\.%2f|\.\.%5c) [NC]
    RewriteRule ^wp-content/plugins/kentha-elementor/.* - [F,L]
</IfModule>