CVE-2026-22436
Published: 05 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-22436 is a high-severity PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98) vulnerability. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 39.1th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2026-22436 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified under CWE-98 and described as enabling PHP Local File Inclusion, within the Helvig WordPress theme by Elated-Themes. The flaw affects Helvig versions from n/a through 1.0 inclusive. Published on 2026-03-05, it carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating high severity due to network accessibility and significant impacts.
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network without user interaction, though it demands high attack complexity. Exploitation allows local file inclusion, potentially leading to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, such as unauthorized access to sensitive files or system compromise depending on the included files.
The Patchstack advisory provides details on this WordPress Helvig theme 1.0 local file inclusion vulnerability, including recommended mitigations at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/helvig/vulnerability/wordpress-helvig-theme-1-0-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-9562
Vulnerability details
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Elated-Themes Helvig helvig allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Helvig: from n/a through <= 1.0.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
The vulnerability is an unauthenticated remote Local File Inclusion (LFI) in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly enabling exploitation of public-facing applications (T1190) for unauthorized file access and potential further compromise.
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Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly addresses the CVE by requiring timely identification, prioritization, and remediation of the specific PHP Local File Inclusion flaw in the Helvig WordPress theme.
Prevents exploitation of improper filename control in PHP include/require statements by validating all user-supplied inputs for malicious paths or payloads.
Enforces restrictions on filename inputs to PHP include functions, such as whitelisting allowed paths or blocking traversal sequences, to block LFI attempts.