Academist Core WordPress plugin: Local File Inclusion
Summary
The Academist Core WordPress plugin up to and including version 1.4.1 contains a Local File Inclusion flaw (CWE-98). An attacker can make the website load server files it should not load, which can lead to a full takeover of the site. The vulnerability is reachable over the network and needs no login or user interaction, but the attack complexity is rated high.
Affected
- Elated-Themes Academist Core WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 1.4.1 (reported range: from n/a through 1.4.1)
Fixed in
Unknown. No fixed version was found in the sources checked, and no vendor advisory was found.
Workaround
- No vendor-confirmed workaround is available.
- Deactivate and remove the plugin if its course functionality is not needed.
- Consider virtual patching via a web application firewall or the Patchstack mitigation service.
- Review web server and PHP logs for unusual file parameters.
- Restrict file permissions and PHP settings, such as keeping allow_url_include off and using open_basedir where feasible.
Exploitation
- No known exploitation in the wild; CISA SSVC lists exploitation as none and automatable as no.
- No public proof-of-concept code was found, which does not rule one out.
- Patchstack rates the flaw as high priority and expects it to be exploited; it has issued a mitigation rule.
Our recommendation
- Check all client websites for the Academist Core plugin and its version.
- Prioritise internet-facing sites where the plugin is installed.
- Deactivate and remove the plugin if it is not required.
- Apply virtual patching or the Patchstack mitigation until an official fix is available and tested.
- Watch the plugin changelog and the vendor site for a fixed release and update promptly once one is published.
- Monitor logs for unusual file parameters.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Patchstack advisory patchstack.com
- HOL Install Guard hol.org
- VulDB vuldb.com
- Strix CVE record www.strix.ai
- INCIBE-CERT early warning www.incibe.es
- CVE threat aggregator cve.threatint.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 1 Nov 2026, 18:07.
Original description (NVD)
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Elated-Themes Academist Core academist-core allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Academist Core: from n/a through 1.4.1.
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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