Executive Summary

CVE-2026-39611 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the WordPress KuteShop Theme versions up to and including 4.2.9. It arises from improper control of the filename used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker with contributor or developer privileges to include and display local files from the target website.

This means an attacker can potentially access sensitive files on the server, such as configuration files or database credentials, by exploiting this vulnerability.

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Impact Analysis

Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to the exposure of sensitive information, including database credentials, which may allow an attacker to take over the website's database completely.

The vulnerability is rated with a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a moderate to high risk. However, the exploitation likelihood is considered low, and the overall priority is rated as low by Patchstack.

If exploited, this could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of your website and its data.

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Detection Guidance

The vulnerability allows an attacker with contributor or developer privileges to include local files from the target website and display their contents. Detection involves checking if the WordPress KuteShop Theme version is up to and including 4.2.9, which is vulnerable.

Since this is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability, detection can include monitoring for unusual requests that attempt to include local files via URL parameters or POST data.

Specific commands are not provided in the available resources, but typical detection methods might include:

• Reviewing web server logs for suspicious requests containing file inclusion patterns such as "../../" or references to sensitive files like "/etc/passwd".
• Using tools like grep to search for inclusion attempts in logs, e.g., `grep -r "include" /var/log/apache2/access.log`.
• Checking the installed theme version via WordPress admin dashboard or by inspecting the theme files to confirm if it is version 4.2.9 or earlier.

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Mitigation Strategies

Immediate mitigation involves updating the affected KuteShop theme to a version newer than 4.2.9 if available.

Since no official patch is currently available, it is recommended to seek assistance from hosting providers or developers to apply custom fixes or temporary workarounds.

Additionally, limiting contributor or developer privileges to trusted users can reduce the risk of exploitation.

Using security services like Patchstack's rapid vulnerability mitigation and continuous security intelligence can help protect WordPress sites against such threats.

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Compliance Impact

The Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in KuteShop Theme versions up to 4.2.9 allows attackers to access sensitive information such as database credentials, which could lead to a complete database takeover.

Exposure of sensitive data due to this vulnerability could result in non-compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, which require the protection of personal and sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Therefore, organizations using the affected theme may face increased risk of violating these standards if the vulnerability is exploited and sensitive data is compromised.

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