CVE-2026-28031 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting ThemeREX Invetex, which allows for PHP Local File Inclusion due to improper control of filename in include/require statements. With a CVSS score of 8.1, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations utilizing affected versions of the Invetex theme.
The vulnerability is classified as having a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to include arbitrary files, which can lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of sensitive data.
This issue affects all versions of ThemeREX Invetex up to and including version 2.18. Given its high severity and potential exploitation, organizations should prioritize remediation strategies, including patching or updating.
As of now, this vulnerability is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, which signifies that there is no confirmed active exploitation in the wild. However, the exploitability score indicates a high potential for attacks.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability stems from improper control of filenames in the PHP environment, specifically within the ThemeREX Invetex, allowing attackers to perform local file inclusion. The CVSS 3.1 vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
The vulnerability has been assigned CWE-98, which corresponds to "Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program." The attack vector is network-based, with high complexity, and no privileges or user interaction are required to exploit the vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the inadequate validation of user inputs used in file inclusion statements. Attackers can manipulate these inputs to include arbitrary files hosted on the server.
This vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it requires no user privileges and does not necessitate any user interaction, making it easy for attackers to exploit remotely.
The impacts are severe, with potential breaches compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems and data.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential system compromise, and disruption of services. The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is high, given its CVSS score of 8.1 and the potential for exploitation.
Organizations should conduct a thorough assessment of their environments to identify any instances of the ThemeREX Invetex theme in use and prioritize patching those instances.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects ThemeREX Invetex versions from n/a to <= 2.18. Organizations using these versions should seek to apply updates or patches provided by the vendor.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching to mitigate this vulnerability. It is crucial to upgrade to the latest version of ThemeREX Invetex that addresses this issue. If an immediate patch is unavailable, consider applying configuration hardening techniques to limit the impact of this vulnerability.
For further guidance on how to approach penetration testing and security assessments, organizations can refer to the penetration testing services offered by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for any unusual file inclusion attempts in logs and verify any changes to file permissions within the affected installations. Behavioral anomalies should also be tracked to detect potential exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2026-28031 lies in its representation of common pitfalls in PHP web applications regarding file inclusions. Organizations must adopt robust input validation strategies to prevent similar issues.
Security teams should take this as a lesson to fortify their application security posture and ensure proper configuration management practices are in place to avoid exposure to local file inclusion vulnerabilities.
For comprehensive security strategies, organizations can explore our insights on penetration testing methodology and the importance of building a strong security foundation through ongoing assessments.
Additionally, organizations should stay informed about evolving threats and vulnerabilities to maintain a resilient security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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