Executive Summary

CVE-2026-22381 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the PawFriends - Pet Shop and Veterinary WordPress Theme versions up to and including 1.3.

This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to include and display local files from the target website by exploiting improper control of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements.

As a result, sensitive information such as database credentials can be exposed.

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Impact Analysis

[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to the exposure of sensitive files and information on the affected website.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "Depending on the website's configuration, an attacker could potentially take over the entire database."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'This could result in data breaches, loss of data integrity, and unauthorized access to confidential information.'}] [1]

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Compliance Impact

I don't know

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Detection Guidance

[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'This vulnerability allows an attacker to include local files via the PawFriends WordPress theme, potentially exposing sensitive information. Detection involves monitoring for suspicious HTTP requests attempting to exploit Local File Inclusion (LFI) patterns targeting the theme.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'While no specific commands are provided, common detection methods include inspecting web server logs for requests containing suspicious parameters or file paths that attempt to include local files.'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'Use tools like grep to search web server access logs for suspicious patterns, e.g., requests containing "../../" or references to theme files.'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': "Example command: grep -i 'pawfriends' /var/log/apache2/access.log | grep -E '\\.\\./|include|require'"}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'Monitor for unusual HTTP requests that may indicate attempts to exploit the LFI vulnerability.'}] [1]

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Mitigation Strategies

Since no official patch is currently available for this vulnerability, immediate mitigation involves applying the Patchstack mitigation rule designed to block attacks exploiting this Local File Inclusion issue.

Users are advised to implement Patchstack’s mitigation measures immediately to protect their websites from exploitation.

• Apply Patchstack’s mitigation rules to block malicious requests targeting the PawFriends theme.
• Monitor your website for suspicious activity and restrict access to sensitive files where possible.
• Consider disabling or removing the vulnerable theme until an official patch is released.

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