CVE-2026-24390 is a vulnerability classified as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program,' commonly known as a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability. It affects the Kentha Elementor Widgets plugin developed by QantumThemes, specifically versions prior to 3.1. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the filename parameter used in PHP's include or require statements. This flaw enables an unauthenticated attacker to supply a crafted filename that points to a remote malicious PHP script. When the plugin processes this input, it includes and executes the remote code on the server, leading to arbitrary code execution. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting a network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), and no impact on integrity or availability (I:N/A:N). The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making exploitation straightforward if the vulnerable plugin is accessible. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a critical target for attackers seeking to compromise WordPress sites using this plugin. The vulnerability affects the Kentha Elementor Widgets plugin, which is used to extend Elementor page builder functionality in WordPress, a widely used content management system. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may be pending or not yet publicly available, emphasizing the need for vigilance and interim mitigations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites running WordPress with the Kentha Elementor Widgets plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data due to arbitrary code execution on the web server, compromising confidentiality. Although integrity and availability impacts are not directly indicated, attackers could leverage code execution to pivot to further attacks, including data tampering or denial of service. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, finance, and media that rely on WordPress for public-facing sites are particularly vulnerable to reputational damage and regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the likelihood of automated attacks and mass scanning campaigns targeting vulnerable sites. Additionally, compromised sites could be used as a foothold for lateral movement within corporate networks or for hosting phishing or malware distribution campaigns, amplifying the threat landscape for European entities.

Immediate mitigation involves upgrading the Kentha Elementor Widgets plugin to version 3.1 or later once the patch is officially released by QantumThemes. Until an official patch is available, organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters controlling file inclusion within the plugin code, restricting them to allow only safe, local file paths. Disabling the PHP directive allow_url_include (set to Off) is critical to prevent remote file inclusion attacks at the PHP configuration level. Employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious include/require patterns and remote file inclusion attempts can provide an additional protective layer. Regularly auditing WordPress plugins for updates and vulnerabilities, and limiting plugin usage to trusted and actively maintained components, reduces exposure. Monitoring web server logs for unusual requests targeting file inclusion parameters can help detect exploitation attempts early. Finally, implementing strict file permissions and isolating web server processes limits the potential damage from successful exploitation.