CVE-2026-22428 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability found in the AncoraThemes Tooth Fairy WordPress theme, affecting versions up to 1.16. The vulnerability arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements. This flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the filename input to include arbitrary files from the server's filesystem. Such an inclusion can lead to disclosure of sensitive files (e.g., configuration files, password files), execution of malicious code if combined with other vulnerabilities, or facilitate privilege escalation. The vulnerability is categorized under improper control of filename for include/require statements, a common PHP security issue. While no remote file inclusion (RFI) is explicitly stated, the local file inclusion itself can be leveraged for significant impact. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits are known, but the vulnerability is published and recognized by Patchstack. The affected product, Tooth Fairy, is a WordPress theme by AncoraThemes, which is used by websites built on the WordPress platform. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the attacker to send crafted requests to the vulnerable PHP script that improperly handles file inclusion. This can be done without authentication if the vulnerable code is accessible publicly, increasing the risk. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be available, so mitigation must be proactive.

The impact of CVE-2026-22428 is significant for organizations using the Tooth Fairy WordPress theme. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive server files, including configuration files containing database credentials or other secrets. This can compromise the confidentiality of the system and potentially lead to further attacks such as remote code execution or privilege escalation if attackers can include files with executable code or leverage other vulnerabilities. The integrity of the website and its data can be compromised if attackers modify included files or inject malicious content. Availability may also be affected if the attacker causes the server to crash or behave unexpectedly. Given the widespread use of WordPress globally, many small to medium-sized businesses and personal websites could be affected, especially those that do not regularly update themes or apply security best practices. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly once details are public. Organizations relying on this theme should consider the vulnerability critical to address to prevent potential data breaches and service disruptions.

To mitigate CVE-2026-22428, organizations should first verify if they are using the AncoraThemes Tooth Fairy theme version 1.16 or earlier. If so, they should monitor AncoraThemes and official WordPress theme repositories for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. In the absence of an official patch, administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters controlling file inclusion to ensure only intended files are included. Employing PHP configuration settings such as open_basedir to restrict accessible directories can limit the scope of file inclusion. Disabling potentially dangerous PHP functions like include(), require(), or using safer alternatives can reduce risk. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion. Regular security audits and code reviews of customizations to the theme can help identify and remediate insecure coding practices. Additionally, limiting file permissions on the server to prevent unauthorized reading of sensitive files can reduce impact. Backup and incident response plans should be updated to quickly recover from potential exploitation.