CVE-2026-54814: Motors Theme PHP File Inclusion Flaw

CVE-2026-54814 Overview

CVE-2026-54814 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the StylemixThemes Motors plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper control of filename input passed to PHP include or require statements [CWE-98]. Attackers can manipulate file path parameters to load arbitrary local files through the PHP interpreter. The vulnerability affects all Motors plugin versions from initial release through 1.4.109. Successful exploitation can lead to source code disclosure, sensitive configuration leakage, and remote code execution when combined with file upload primitives or log poisoning techniques.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can include arbitrary local PHP files, leading to information disclosure and potential remote code execution on affected WordPress sites.

Affected Products

StylemixThemes Motors plugin (Car Dealership & Classified Listings) versions through 1.4.109
WordPress installations running vulnerable Motors plugin builds
Sites using Motors for vehicle dealership and classified listing functionality

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE CVE-2026-54814 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-54814

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified as Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program [CWE-98]. The Motors plugin accepts user-controlled input that is concatenated into a PHP include or require call without sufficient validation or path sanitization. An attacker can supply a crafted parameter value that resolves to a local file on the server, causing the PHP interpreter to execute or render the file's contents.

While the CWE category includes Remote File Inclusion (RFI), the advisory confirms only Local File Inclusion (LFI) is exploitable here. The attack requires no authentication and no user interaction, but the higher attack complexity reflects conditions such as specific path traversal sequences, encoding, or environment dependencies needed to reach the vulnerable sink.

Root Cause

The plugin passes a request-controlled value into a PHP include statement without enforcing an allowlist of permissible filenames. Missing checks for directory traversal sequences (../), null-byte termination, and absolute path prefixes allow attackers to break out of the intended template or module directory and reference arbitrary files reachable by the PHP process.

Attack Vector

The attacker sends an HTTP request to the WordPress site with a malicious value for the vulnerable parameter handled by the Motors plugin. Because PHP processes the included file, an attacker can read sensitive files such as wp-config.php, expose database credentials, and disclose secret keys. When chained with attacker-writable files (uploads, session files, or log files containing injected PHP), the LFI can escalate to remote code execution. See the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-54814

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Motors plugin endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or encoded null bytes
Access log entries referencing sensitive paths like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP session files via Motors parameters
Unexpected PHP errors in web server logs referencing include() or require() failures originating from the Motors plugin directory

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server and WordPress access logs for anomalous query string parameters targeting Motors plugin pages
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that flag traversal patterns and PHP wrapper schemes (php://, file://, data://) in plugin requests
Compare installed Motors plugin version against the patched release and alert on hosts running 1.4.109 or earlier

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor file system access patterns from the PHP-FPM or web server process for reads outside the WordPress webroot
Track outbound connections from web servers that may indicate post-exploitation activity following an LFI chain
Alert on creation of new PHP files in wp-content/uploads/ or modifications to existing plugin files

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-54814

Immediate Actions Required

Update the StylemixThemes Motors plugin to a version newer than 1.4.109 as soon as the vendor publishes a fixed release
Disable the Motors plugin if a patched version is not yet available and the functionality is non-critical
Rotate WordPress secret keys, database credentials, and API tokens that may have been exposed through wp-config.php disclosure

Patch Information

The vulnerability affects Motors versions through 1.4.109. Administrators should consult the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory for the latest fixed version and apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager or via WP-CLI.

Workarounds

Deploy WAF rules that block path traversal sequences and PHP wrapper schemes targeting Motors plugin endpoints
Restrict the PHP open_basedir directive to confine includes to the WordPress installation directory
Set file system permissions so the web server process cannot read sensitive configuration files outside the webroot
Disable PHP allow_url_include in php.ini to prevent escalation to remote file inclusion scenarios

bash

# Configuration example: harden php.ini against file inclusion abuse
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"

# Update Motors plugin via WP-CLI once a patched version is available
wp plugin update motors-car-dealership-classified-listings