CVE-2026-57789 in Aqua Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in jwsthemes Aqua aqua allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Aqua: from n/a through <= 5.1.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical security flaw in the jwsthemes Aqua WordPress theme that enables remote file inclusion attacks through improper handling of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements. This weakness falls under the category of PHP Remote File Inclusion (RFI) and Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerabilities, which are classified as CWE-88 and CWE-98 respectively within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the theme fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is used in dynamic include/require operations, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary file paths or URLs.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the Aqua theme accepts filename parameters through user-controllable inputs without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that manipulate the include/require statements to load and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote servers or local files on the target system. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Aqua theme up to and including version 5.1.2, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple releases without proper remediation.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to affected WordPress installations as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor establishment. Security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK categorize this type of vulnerability under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, as attackers can leverage these weaknesses to establish command execution capabilities within the compromised environment.
The exploitation process typically involves manipulating URL parameters or POST data that are subsequently used in PHP include/require statements. Attackers may attempt to load malicious PHP shells from remote servers or access sensitive local files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests inadequate security testing and code review processes during the development lifecycle, highlighting the importance of implementing proper input validation and secure coding practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to a patched version of the Aqua theme where available, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-controllable parameters, and applying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious include/require patterns. Additionally, administrators should implement proper file permissions, disable dangerous PHP functions such as allow_url_include, and conduct regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other installed themes and plugins. The remediation process must also include monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts and implementing comprehensive logging mechanisms to track unauthorized access attempts.