CVE-2026-57796 in Leedo Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in VLThemes Leedo leedo allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Leedo: from n/a through <= 3.0.0.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2026
The vulnerability under discussion represents a critical improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP applications, commonly categorized as PHP Remote File Inclusion or Local File Inclusion. This weakness occurs when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into PHP include or require statements without proper sanitization or validation. The specific instance affects the VLThemes Leedo theme version 3.0.0 and earlier, where the vulnerability manifests through inadequate input handling in the theme's file inclusion mechanisms.
This security flaw operates at the intersection of CWE-98 and CWE-20, representing improper input validation combined with insecure direct object references. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate include paths by injecting malicious filenames through user-controllable parameters, potentially enabling remote code execution or local file disclosure. In the context of the Leedo theme, this weakness could be exploited by an attacker who gains access to a legitimate user account or through other means of input injection, such as in URL parameters or form submissions that are processed by the theme's backend components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for privilege escalation and system compromise. When successful, local file inclusion attacks can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files, execution of arbitrary code on the target server, and potentially full system control. The attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access configuration files containing database credentials, user authentication details, or other sensitive information stored within the application's file structure.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several MITRE ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify vulnerable applications, followed by crafting malicious input that bypasses security controls, and finally executing the inclusion of malicious payloads through the compromised include statement.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary defense involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data used in file inclusion operations. This includes using allowlists of permitted filenames, implementing proper parameterized queries, and employing secure coding practices that prevent direct concatenation of user input with include statements. Additionally, the affected Leedo theme should be updated to a patched version that implements proper input validation or the theme should be removed from production environments until proper security measures are implemented.
Organizations should also implement comprehensive application security testing including dynamic and static analysis tools to identify similar vulnerabilities across their codebase. The remediation process must include thorough code review of all file inclusion operations, implementation of web application firewalls to detect suspicious patterns, and regular security audits to ensure ongoing protection against similar attack vectors. Given the nature of this vulnerability, it is essential that developers follow secure coding guidelines from OWASP and other industry standards to prevent recurrence of such flaws in future implementations.