CVE-2026-28055 is a high-severity vulnerability found in the ThemeREX M.Williamson WordPress theme. This vulnerability allows for PHP Local File Inclusion due to improper control of the filename for include/require statements in PHP programs. The flaw affects versions of M.Williamson from n/a to 1.2.11, and it has been assigned a CVSS score of 8.1, indicating a significant risk.
The potential impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files and data within the server environment. Given its classification as a high-severity issue, organizations utilizing this theme must take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with exploitation. Currently, the vulnerability status is deferred, but it is essential for security teams to stay informed.
Risk to organizations includes potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and overall system compromise. Organizations that use the affected versions of the ThemeREX M.Williamson theme should prioritize patching to protect their systems against possible exploitation.
As of now, there are no known public exploits or proof-of-concept code available for this vulnerability. However, organizations should not underestimate the threat and should proactively seek to remediate the issue.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows improper control of the filename for include/require statements in PHP programs, leading to PHP Local File Inclusion. The affected version of the ThemeREX M.Williamson theme ranges from n/a to 1.2.11. The CVSS score of 8.1 indicates a high severity, highlighting the need for prompt attention.
The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-98, which denotes improper control of filename in PHP. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is high, meaning that an attacker would require specific conditions to exploit the vulnerability. No privileges are required, and user interaction is not necessary for exploitation.
The CVSS vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2026-28055 is the failure to properly control the filename used in include/require statements. This oversight allows attackers to manipulate the filename parameter, leading to local file inclusion vulnerabilities.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to exploit this vulnerability remotely. Given that no privileges are required, even unauthenticated attackers can attempt to exploit the flaw. Additionally, user interaction is not necessary, further increasing the risk.
The attack complexity is classified as high, implying that exploitation may require a certain level of skill or knowledge. However, once the conditions are met, the potential impacts are significant, including high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using the ThemeREX M.Williamson theme must be aware of the potential risks associated with CVE-2026-28055. The vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive files, leading to data breaches and unauthorized access to critical information.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is substantial, as it could impact any organization using the affected theme in their WordPress installations. With the CVSS score of 8.1, organizations should treat this vulnerability with high urgency, addressing it in their priority patch cycle.
Given that the vulnerability is not included in the KEV catalog, there is currently no active exploitation reported. However, organizations should remain vigilant, as the lack of known exploits does not negate the threat posed by this issue.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected version of the ThemeREX M.Williamson theme is from n/a through version 1.2.11. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest version to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches for the ThemeREX M.Williamson theme to remediate this vulnerability. If a patch is not available, consider disabling the theme until a fix is applied.
For further assistance, organizations can utilize services like penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen defenses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual file access attempts and any signs of unauthorized access. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected PHP errors or file inclusion attempts, should be investigated promptly.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2026-28055 lies in its demonstration of the ongoing risks associated with improper file handling in web applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder for security teams to conduct regular security assessments and maintain vigilance against potential threats.
Organizations can learn from this incident to enhance their security posture through best practices in secure coding and regular vulnerability assessments. Implementing robust security measures can significantly mitigate similar risks in the future.
For organizations looking to fortify their defenses, resources like the vulnerability management program can provide essential frameworks and strategies.
Additionally, continuous security testing enables organizations to identify weaknesses before they can be exploited, reinforcing overall 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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