CVE-2026-24609 in Laurent Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Elated-Themes Laurent laurent allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Laurent: from n/a through <= 3.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2026
The CVE-2026-24609 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw within the Elated-Themes Laurent theme, specifically impacting versions prior to 3.1. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in include/require statements, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code through malicious file inclusion. The flaw exists in the theme's handling of user-supplied input that is directly used in PHP include operations, making it susceptible to local file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper control of filename for include/require operations, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for PHP remote file inclusion. This issue represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to potentially execute malicious code on the target system, escalate privileges, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Laurent theme fails to properly validate or sanitize user input that is subsequently used in PHP include or require statements. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating parameters that control which files are included, potentially allowing them to include local files from the server or even remote malicious files. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it allows for arbitrary file inclusion, which can lead to complete system compromise. The flaw's nature as a local file inclusion vulnerability means that attackers can potentially access sensitive files on the server, including configuration files, database credentials, or other system files that could be used to further compromise the environment. The specific version constraints indicate that this vulnerability was present in all versions up to and including 3.1, suggesting a long-standing issue within the theme's codebase.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-24609 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems through the inclusion of malicious PHP scripts. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who have access to the web application's input parameters, potentially allowing them to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify content, or even use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete compromise of the affected web server, particularly if the theme is widely used across multiple installations. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where the web server has elevated privileges or access to sensitive databases, as it could lead to data breaches or complete system takeover. The attack surface is broad since many WordPress installations use themes that may be vulnerable to similar inclusion flaws, making this a widespread concern for web application security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-24609 should focus on immediate patching of the affected theme to version 3.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent user-supplied data from being directly used in include operations. The implementation of a whitelist approach for file inclusion, where only predetermined files are allowed, can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, administrators should ensure that PHP's allow_url_include directive is disabled, as this prevents remote file inclusion attacks from succeeding. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious include parameters. Regular security audits of web applications and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and automated scanning tools can help detect potentially vulnerable include statements in code. The vulnerability's presence in a popular theme like Laurent underscores the importance of keeping all web application components updated and following secure coding practices that prevent the use of dynamic include operations without proper input validation.