CVE-2026-62099 in Boutique Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/10/2026
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in Boutique <= 2.3.3 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as an unauthenticated local file inclusion flaw within Boutique version 2.3.3 and earlier represents a critical security deficiency that allows attackers to read arbitrary files from the server's filesystem without requiring any form of authentication or user interaction. This type of vulnerability typically arises when a web application accepts unsanitized input parameters, such as those passed via URL query strings or POST data, and directly incorporates them into file system operations like include statements in PHP-based applications. In the context of Boutique, which is an e-commerce platform built on common open-source frameworks, this flaw likely stems from improper validation of user-supplied paths that are used to load template files, configuration modules, or other dynamic content. Because no authentication mechanism is required to exploit this issue, any remote attacker with network access to the vulnerable application can leverage it to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the underlying system.
From a technical perspective, local file inclusion vulnerabilities occur when an application fails to properly validate user input before using it in functions that interact with the operating system's file structure. In many cases, attackers exploit this by manipulating path traversal sequences, such as dot-dot-slash characters, to escape the intended directory and access sensitive files located elsewhere on the server. This can lead to the disclosure of critical configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, or internal network topology details. Furthermore, if the included file contains executable code or is processed by a parser that interprets certain syntax as commands, it may escalate into remote code execution, allowing full control over the web server and potentially the entire backend infrastructure. The absence of authentication in this specific vulnerability significantly lowers the barrier to entry for attackers, enabling automated scanning tools to rapidly identify and exploit affected instances across the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it directly compromises the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by exposing sensitive internal data that should remain restricted to authorized personnel or system processes. Beyond information disclosure, successful exploitation can serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, including session hijacking if authentication tokens are exposed, privilege escalation through reading shadow files on Unix-like systems, or complete server compromise via remote code execution vectors often associated with file inclusion flaws. For an e-commerce platform like Boutique, the exposure of customer data, payment processing configurations, and proprietary business logic poses significant reputational damage and potential regulatory penalties under frameworks such as GDPR or PCI DSS due to the mishandling of sensitive personal information.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action is required by upgrading the Boutique installation to a version newer than 2.3.3 where these input validation issues have been addressed by the developers. In addition to patching, administrators should implement strict allow-lists for file inclusion operations rather than relying on block lists or simple sanitization techniques that can be bypassed with encoding tricks. It is also advisable to disable dangerous PHP functions such as include and require if they are not strictly necessary for application functionality, although this may break core features in many CMS platforms. Web Application Firewalls should be configured to detect and block requests containing path traversal patterns or suspicious file extensions commonly associated with LFI attacks. Regular security audits and static code analysis tools can help identify similar coding practices across the application's source code base to prevent recurrence of such flaws.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-98, which describes Improper Control of Filename for Include Statement in PHP programs, highlighting the failure to validate user-supplied filenames before inclusion. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1083, File and Directory Discovery, as attackers use this flaw to enumerate sensitive files on the target system. Understanding these classifications helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on standardized risk frameworks and ensures that defensive measures are aligned with industry best practices for preventing file inclusion attacks in web applications.