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Verdure Core EUVDEUVD-2026-65325

| CVE-2026-78562 HIGH
PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98)
2026-08-25 Wordfence GHSA-h789-vxpj-rq4h
8.1
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: Wordfence
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Identify WordPress site running Verdure Core ≤ 1.2
  2. Delivery
    Upload PHP-embedded file via unauthenticated upload endpoint
  3. Exploit
    Craft HTTP request with traversal payload targeting uploaded file path
  4. Execution
    Plugin passes unsanitized path to PHP include()
  5. Persist
    Server executes PHP payload as web process user
  6. Impact
    Achieve remote code execution or sensitive file exfiltration

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling File inclusion prevention, allowlisting
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Command and Control

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Two conditions must be satisfied for full RCE: the Verdure Core plugin must be installed and active at version 1.2 or earlier, and attacker-controlled file content must be present on the server filesystem - typically achieved via any upload endpoint accessible prior to authentication (e.g., media uploads, form attachments). The CVSS PR:N vector confirms no authentication is required to trigger the LFI itself. The AC:H rating explicitly signals elevated complexity, reflecting the file-staging prerequisite for RCE. Confidentiality impact (sensitive file disclosure via LFI without file staging) is achievable at lower complexity and represents a distinct, lower-bar exploitation path. Exploitation is bounded by the need for the plugin to be active and the AC:H constraint; sites that have disabled all guest-accessible upload endpoints reduce RCE risk but remain exposed to information disclosure. No specific non-default configuration flag or feature toggle is named in the description beyond plugin presence at a vulnerable version.

Impact

The CVSS 8.1 score (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) reflects unauthenticated network exploitation with elevated attack complexity and high impact across all three pillars. The AC:H metric is the critical moderating factor: successful RCE requires attacker-controlled file content to already reside on the server filesystem, introducing a chaining prerequisite that prevents trivial mass exploitation. Pure LFI for sensitive file disclosure (config files, credentials, logs) carries lower complexity and is a realistic threat even without a file-upload vector. No EPSS score was provided in the source intelligence, limiting probabilistic exploitation quantification. The absence of a CISA KEV entry and confirmed public exploit code keeps this in a moderate-to-high priority band rather than emergency response territory - but the unauthenticated network vector and full C/I/A impact mean any site running Verdure Core ≤ 1.2 with accessible upload endpoints should treat remediation as urgent. EPSS data missing from input; exploitation probability cannot be quantified from available signals.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker targeting a WordPress site running Verdure Core ≤ 1.2 first identifies a publicly accessible file upload endpoint - such as a guest-allowed contact form, comment attachment feature, or open media endpoint - and uploads an image file containing an embedded PHP webshell. The attacker then sends a crafted HTTP request manipulating a path parameter in the Verdure Core plugin to reference the server-side path of the uploaded file, causing PHP to include and execute the embedded payload, granting the attacker a remote shell running as the web server user. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, meaning this scenario currently requires manual, targeted effort rather than automated tooling.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.5% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Aug 25, 2026

Local File Inclusion in the Verdure Core WordPress plugin (versions ≤ 1.2) enables unauthenticated remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary PHP files on the server. Rooted in CWE-98 (improper PHP include/require path control), the flaw can be chained with file upload functionality - an attacker uploads a PHP-bearing image or other 'safe' file, then triggers the LFI to execute it - yielding full remote code execution, access control bypass, and sensitive data disclosure. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

RemediationAI

No vendor-released patch version has been independently confirmed in the provided intelligence - neither the Wordfence nor the Patchstack reference cites an explicit fixed release number, so patch availability should be verified directly against the WordPress.org plugin repository and Mikado Themes' official channels before assuming a safe upgrade target exists. As an immediate compensating control, deactivating the Verdure Core plugin eliminates the attack surface entirely at the cost of losing its functionality. Where deactivation is not feasible, restricting file upload capabilities to authenticated, role-gated users removes the primary RCE escalation path (though LFI-based file disclosure remains possible). Deploying WAF rules targeting PHP LFI patterns - path traversal sequences such as ../, URL-encoded variants (%2e%2e%2f), and null-byte injections - at the perimeter can reduce exploitation success rates but should not substitute for patching. Monitor the Wordfence advisory at https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/92abc078-4fdd-4afe-aa46-cdd3a18161f4 and the Patchstack entry at https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/verdure-core/vulnerability/wordpress-verdure-core-plugin-1-2-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability for patch release announcements.

Affected VersionsENISA

Verdure Core 0 ≤1.2

Affected Packages

euvd verdure_core no fix

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in euvd

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program) is a PHP-specific subclass of path traversal in which attacker-supplied input reaches a PHP include() or require() call without adequate sanitization. The affected product is the Verdure Core companion plugin by Mikado Themes (CPE: cpe:2.3:a:mikado-themes:verdure_core:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*), which runs within the WordPress PHP execution context and inherits the web server process's filesystem access. When the LFI parameter accepts unsanitized path fragments, attackers can traverse directory boundaries or reference arbitrary on-disk paths. The RCE escalation path exploits the fact that PHP's include mechanism executes any PHP code found in the target file regardless of file extension, meaning an uploaded .jpg containing a webshell is executed as PHP when included.

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Severity by source

Vendor (Wordfence) PRIMARY 8.1 HIGH
AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
vuln.today AI 8.1 HIGH

Network-exploitable LFI with no auth required (PR:N), AC:H reflects mandatory file-staging prerequisite for RCE; full C/I/A impact upon successful exploitation.

3.1 AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.0 AV:N/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (Wordfence).

CVSS VectorVendor: Wordfence

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

The Verdure Core plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.2. 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.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

The Verdure Core WordPress plugin (versions 1.2 and earlier) contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability enabling unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code through local file inclusion chained with file upload functionality. Any organization running this plugin faces immediate and severe risk of complete server compromise, unauthorized administrative access, and sensitive data theft. Urgent remediation is required.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigations: immediately disable and deactivate the plugin; configure web server to prevent PHP execution in all upload directories using server-level rules; restrict file upload extensions to deny PHP, phtml, php3, php4, php5, phar, and other executable formats; deploy Web Application Firewall rules to detect and block path traversal patterns; enable comprehensive access logging and error logging with alerting; implement file integrity monitoring on WordPress core files and upload directories; restrict WordPress administrative backend access by source IP whitelist; segment affected WordPress systems from other infrastructure to contain potential compromise.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.5%
Top 61% exploitable
Prevalence
Low
niche WordPress theme companion plugin with limited install base
Social Media
1
Sightings
Data Quality
5 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.5%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
High

Priority Score

40
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +40
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities occur when an application accepts user-controlled input to specify which file should be loaded or executed, typically through functions like PHP's `include()`, `require()`, or `fopen()`.

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

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