CVE-2026-78478 in Mane Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2026
The Mane theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.7. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2026
The Mane theme for WordPress contains a critical Local File Inclusion vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 1.7. This flaw stems from the improper handling of user-supplied input within the theme's codebase, specifically in functions responsible for loading template parts or assets. The underlying technical deficiency involves the direct inclusion of file paths provided by users without adequate sanitization or validation against a whitelist of allowed files. By manipulating query parameters or POST data associated with these include mechanisms, an attacker can inject relative or absolute path sequences that traverse outside the intended directory structure. This allows the server to read and execute arbitrary PHP code located on the web host's filesystem, effectively turning a file inclusion error into a remote code execution vector when combined with other conditions such as uploaded files containing malicious payloads.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-98 Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require in PHP Program and is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1504 Web Shell: Local File Inclusion. The exploitation mechanism relies on the server's ability to interpret included files as executable code rather than static content. When an attacker successfully includes a file containing PHP tags, the web server processes these commands within the context of the current user privileges associated with the web service process. This capability is particularly dangerous because it bypasses standard authentication mechanisms inherent to WordPress admin panels or restricted areas, provided that the vulnerable endpoint does not enforce strict access controls on its own. The vulnerability exists due to a failure in input validation where special characters and path traversal sequences are not neutralized before being passed to inclusion functions such as include() or require().
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, granting unauthenticated attackers full control over the affected WordPress installation if they can successfully exploit the file inclusion chain. Attackers can use this access to bypass existing security controls, extract sensitive data from configuration files like wp-config.php which often contain database credentials and secret keys, or achieve persistent remote code execution by uploading a web shell to an accessible directory and then including it via the vulnerable parameter. In scenarios where image uploads are permitted but not properly sanitized for executable content, attackers can upload a file with a legitimate extension such as .jpg that contains embedded PHP code. By triggering the local file inclusion vulnerability on this uploaded asset, they achieve arbitrary command execution without needing to bypass complex authentication layers or exploit additional server-side flaws.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hygiene. The primary solution is to upgrade the Mane theme to a version where this vulnerability has been patched by the developer, ensuring that input validation logic correctly restricts file inclusion operations to predefined safe directories and files. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, administrators should implement web application firewall rules that detect and block common path traversal patterns such as ../ sequences in query parameters related to template loading or asset requests. Additionally, server-level configurations should be hardened by disabling the allow_url_include directive if remote includes are not required, although this specific vulnerability targets local files so strict input validation remains critical. Regular security audits of custom themes and plugins are essential to identify similar coding practices that could lead to broader compromise scenarios involving unauthorized data access or system takeover.