CVE-2026-22385 in Wolmart Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in don-themes Wolmart wolmart allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Wolmart: from n/a through <= 1.9.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2026
The CVE-2026-22385 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw within the Wolmart theme for WordPress, specifically impacting versions through 1.9.6. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of improper control of filename for include/require statements, which constitutes a fundamental security weakness in PHP application development. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization when processing file inclusion directives, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the include/require functionality and execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for local file inclusion attacks that can be escalated to remote code execution, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise WordPress installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Wolmart theme fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is subsequently used in PHP include or require statements. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets passed directly into the include/require function, potentially allowing them to load arbitrary files from the server or even remote malicious payloads. This flaw directly maps to CWE-98, which describes the improper control of a resource through a statement that can be influenced by an actor, and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for PHP remote file inclusion. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive data, or even deploy backdoors that maintain control over the compromised system.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-22385 is severe for WordPress administrators and system operators who have not yet patched their installations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only the targeted WordPress site but also creates risks for the entire hosting environment, as compromised sites can serve as launching points for further attacks against other systems. The attack surface is particularly broad given that WordPress themes are widely used and many installations may not be properly monitored for such vulnerabilities. Organizations running affected versions of the Wolmart theme face potential data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-22385 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Wolmart theme to version 1.9.7 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures at all points where user input is processed, particularly in include/require statements. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion paths to only those necessary for legitimate application functionality. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and themes. According to ATT&CK framework guidance, implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, including the use of allowlists for file inclusion paths, represents the most effective defense against this class of vulnerability. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while automated patch management systems should be configured to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems.