CVE-2026-22496

High

Published: 25 March 2026

Published

25 March 2026

Modified

24 April 2026

KEV Added

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Patch

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CVSS Score v3.1 8.1 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Score 0.0050 39.1th percentile

Risk Priority 55 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2026-22496 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-2026-22496 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion but enabling PHP Local File Inclusion (CWE-98), in the Hypnotherapy WordPress theme developed by AncoraThemes. It affects all versions of the theme up to and including 1.2.10. The vulnerability 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 potential for significant confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.

Remote, unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network with high attack complexity and no user interaction required. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary local file inclusion, potentially enabling attackers to read sensitive files, execute arbitrary code if PHP files are accessible, or disrupt service availability on affected WordPress sites running the vulnerable theme version.

The Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/hypnotherapy/vulnerability/wordpress-hypnotherapy-theme-1-2-10-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve details the local file inclusion issue in Hypnotherapy theme version 1.2.10 and provides vulnerability data for mitigation tracking, though specific patch instructions are referenced in the database entry.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-15502

Vulnerability details

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes Hypnotherapy hypnotherapy allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Hypnotherapy: from n/a through <= 1.2.10.

CWE(s): CWE-98

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access

Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.

attack.mitre.org →

Why these techniques?

The vulnerability is a local file inclusion (LFI) flaw in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly enabling exploitation of a public-facing application for remote code execution or sensitive file access.

Confidence: HIGH · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0