CVE-2026-57802: Struktur Theme File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2026-57802 Overview

CVE-2026-57802 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Select-Themes Struktur WordPress theme. The flaw stems from improper control of a filename used in a PHP include or require statement [CWE-98]. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can influence the file path parameter to load arbitrary local PHP files. Successful exploitation exposes sensitive configuration data, executes attacker-controlled PHP code already present on disk, and can lead to full site compromise. The issue affects all Struktur theme versions up to and including 2.5.1.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can include arbitrary local PHP files, leading to information disclosure and potential remote code execution on WordPress sites running Struktur <= 2.5.1.

Affected Products

Select-Themes Struktur WordPress theme, versions up to and including 2.5.1
WordPress installations using the vulnerable Struktur theme
PHP applications loading the affected theme components

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-13 - CVE-2026-57802 published to NVD
2026-07-13 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-57802

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-98], Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program. The Struktur theme constructs a filesystem path from user-controlled input and passes it to a PHP include or require call without sufficient validation or allow-listing. Because PHP evaluates any included file as code, the vulnerability shifts from simple file read to code execution when attacker-influenced files exist on the server.

An authenticated attacker with at least low-privilege access to the WordPress instance can supply crafted values that resolve to sensitive files such as wp-config.php, session data, or previously uploaded content. The attack requires network access to the WordPress site and does not require user interaction. Exploitation complexity is elevated because the attacker must satisfy authentication and path-resolution constraints imposed by the theme.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of strict validation on a filename parameter consumed by a PHP file inclusion statement inside the Struktur theme. The theme trusts request-supplied input to select a template or module file, rather than resolving inputs against a fixed allow-list of permitted templates.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is Network. An authenticated user issues an HTTP request to a vulnerable endpoint in the Struktur theme, supplying a manipulated filename value. The PHP interpreter resolves the path and includes the referenced file, executing its contents in the WordPress request context. Chained with an arbitrary file upload primitive, this yields remote code execution.

// No verified public exploit code is available.
// See the Patchstack advisory for technical details:
// https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/struktur/vulnerability/wordpress-struktur-theme-2-5-1-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability-2

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-57802

Indicators of Compromise

Web server access logs containing request parameters with path traversal sequences such as ../, %2e%2e%2f, or absolute paths like /etc/passwd directed at Struktur theme endpoints under /wp-content/themes/struktur/.
PHP error logs referencing include(), require(), or failed to open stream messages tied to theme files.
Unexpected inclusion of files outside the theme directory, or references to wp-config.php in request parameters.

Detection Strategies

Inspect HTTP request logs for filename-like parameters submitted to Struktur theme URLs and correlate with authenticated session identifiers.
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that flags LFI patterns (../, null bytes, php://filter) targeting /wp-content/themes/struktur/.
Perform integrity monitoring on WordPress core files and detect anomalous reads of wp-config.php or files under /etc/.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable PHP open_basedir restrictions and log violations to surface include attempts outside expected directories.
Forward WordPress, PHP-FPM, and web server logs to a centralized SIEM or data lake for correlation across authenticated sessions.
Alert on new or modified PHP files within wp-content/uploads/ that could be leveraged as inclusion targets.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-57802

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade the Struktur theme to a version later than 2.5.1 once a vendor patch is available from Select-Themes.
Restrict WordPress account creation and audit existing low-privilege accounts to reduce the pool of potential attackers.
Place the site behind a WAF with rules that block LFI payloads and path traversal sequences targeting theme endpoints.

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest remediation guidance and fixed version details. Apply the vendor-supplied theme update as soon as it is published.

Workarounds

Temporarily deactivate the Struktur theme and switch to an unaffected theme until a patched version is installed.
Configure PHP open_basedir and disable_functions to constrain file inclusion scope and disable risky wrappers such as phar:// and php://filter.
Enforce least privilege on the PHP-FPM user so that wp-config.php and system files are unreadable where operationally feasible.

bash

# Example: restrict PHP file access via open_basedir in php.ini
open_basedir = "/var/www/html/:/tmp/"
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off