CVE-2026-28015 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting ThemeREX ShiftCV, specifically allowing PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) due to improper control of the filename for include/require statements. This vulnerability has been classified with a CVSS score of 8.1, indicating a significant risk to systems utilizing this theme. The potential for LFI poses serious security implications, enabling attackers to access sensitive files on the server, leading to information disclosure or further compromise.
The improper handling of filenames allows attackers to exploit this vulnerability easily, especially since it requires no privileges or user interaction. Given that the attack vector is network-based, it makes the vulnerability more concerning as it can be exploited remotely without any advanced skills. Organizations using the affected versions of ShiftCV should address this vulnerability urgently.
The vulnerability was published on March 5, 2026, and is still categorized as deferred, meaning further assessment is ongoing. Despite the absence of public exploits, the potential for exploitation exists, urging organizations to take preventive measures immediately. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Mitigation strategies should involve ensuring that all instances of ThemeREX ShiftCV are updated to the latest version, as this is critical to preventing possible exploitation. The lack of known public exploits does not diminish the importance of addressing this vulnerability proactively.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is characterized as a PHP Remote File Inclusion issue that affects ShiftCV through versions up to and including 3.0.14. It falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification of CWE-98, indicating improper control of filenames. With a CVSS vector string of 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H', the severity level is categorized as high due to the substantial impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The last modification date for this CVE is April 22, 2026. Organizations using this software should be aware of the potential impacts this vulnerability can introduce and should conduct thorough assessments of their installations.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2026-28015 lies in the failure to adequately control user input for include/require statements in PHP. This allows attackers to manipulate the filename parameter, leading to local file inclusion, which can expose sensitive files like configuration files, logs, or other critical data stored on the server.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning the attacker can exploit this vulnerability from a remote location without needing physical access to the server. The attack complexity is rated as high due to the requirement for specific conditions to be met, such as the attacker needing to know the file structure of the targeted application.
Privileges required for exploitation are none, and user interaction is not required, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. The impacts are significant, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, indicating that an attacker could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt services.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive files and data leakage, leading to compliance violations and reputational damage. The urgency for remediation is high due to the significant CVSS score of 8.1, indicating that organizations should address this vulnerability in priority patch cycles.
The potential blast radius is concerning, as successful exploitation could provide attackers access to a wide array of sensitive information, thereby impacting multiple systems and services. Organizations should evaluate their exposure to this vulnerability and prioritize fixes, especially if they are running affected versions of the ShiftCV theme.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of ThemeREX ShiftCV range from n/a through to and including 3.0.14. Organizations should ensure that they are running versions later than this to mitigate risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should update to the latest version of ThemeREX ShiftCV immediately. If a patch is not available, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting access to sensitive directories and files, and validating all inputs to include/require statements.
Additionally, organizations may benefit from conducting regular security assessments, including penetration testing, to identify any misconfigurations or vulnerabilities that remain unaddressed.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor their systems for unusual file access patterns or requests for sensitive files, which can indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, logging access to critical files and directories can help identify potential breaches.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2026-28015 lies in the ongoing trend of PHP vulnerabilities that allow for remote file inclusion. This indicates a persistent challenge for web application security that needs to be addressed through better coding practices and security reviews.
Security teams can learn from this vulnerability by implementing more robust input validation and sanitization practices. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of regular updates and patch management.
For organizations seeking to enhance their security posture, adopting a comprehensive penetration testing methodology can provide insights into vulnerabilities like this and improve overall security resilience.
In light of evolving threats, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in their security measures.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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