CleanSkin WordPress theme: Local File Inclusion without authentication
Summary
The CleanSkin WordPress theme up to and including version 1.5.0 contains a Local File Inclusion vulnerability (CWE-98). An unauthenticated remote attacker can make the website load files from the server that it should not access, which can expose sensitive data and, in some cases, lead to a takeover of the site. The flaw is reachable over the network without a login, but attack complexity is rated high.
Affected
- CleanSkin WordPress theme, versions 1.5.0 and earlier
- Vendor: AncoraThemes (sold on ThemeForest)
Fixed in
Unknown. No vendor advisory or changelog confirms a fixed version. The ThemeForest listing shows version 1.6.8, but this has not been confirmed as the patched version.
Workaround
- No vendor workaround found.
- Deactivate the theme if it is not in active use.
- Ask AncoraThemes for a patched build and written confirmation.
- A WAF or virtual patch may reduce risk; no specific rule has been verified.
Exploitation
- Not known to be exploited in the wild.
- CISA SSVC (ADP): exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- No public proof of concept found.
- EPSS about 0.0034 at the time of search.
Our recommendation
- Check whether CleanSkin is installed on any public WordPress site, including old or unofficial copies.
- If it is in use, deactivate it or replace it with a maintained theme until a fixed version is confirmed.
- Obtain written confirmation of the fixed version from AncoraThemes or the Patchstack advisory.
- Review web server logs for unusual requests to the theme and keep backups ready.
- Monitor for exploitation reports, a public PoC and NVD updates.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Patchstack advisory patchstack.com
- OpenCVE CVE-2026-42724 app.opencve.io
- Vulners RAPID7 CVE-2026-42724 vulners.com
- Vulners Patchstack advisory vulners.com
- HOL Guard CVE-2026-42724 hol.org
- ThemeForest CleanSkin listing themeforest.net
- ThreatInt CVE-2026-42724 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, 20:12.
Original description (NVD)
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in CleanSkin <= 1.5.0 versions.
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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