CVE-2026-22502

High

Published: 25 March 2026

Published

25 March 2026

Modified

24 April 2026

KEV Added

—

Patch

—

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-2026-22502 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-2026-22502 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, in the Mr. Cobbler WordPress theme developed by AncoraThemes. The flaw affects all versions of Mr. Cobbler up to and including 1.1.9, stemming from inadequate validation of filenames in PHP include/require statements (CWE-98). 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 its potential for significant impact.

Remote attackers without privileges can exploit this vulnerability over the network, though it requires high attack complexity and no user interaction. Successful exploitation allows local file inclusion, potentially enabling attackers to read sensitive configuration files, execute arbitrary code if chained with other flaws, or disrupt service availability, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Patchstack has published an advisory detailing the local file inclusion vulnerability in the Mr. Cobbler WordPress theme version 1.1.9, available at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/mr-cobbler/vulnerability/wordpress-mr-cobbler-theme-1-1-9-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve, which likely includes patch information or mitigation guidance for affected installations.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-15509

Vulnerability details

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes Mr. Cobbler mr-cobbler allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Mr. Cobbler: from n/a through <= 1.1.9.

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 →

T1005 Data from Local System Collection

Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems, configuration files, local databases, virtual machine files, or process memory, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to Exfiltration.

attack.mitre.org →

Why these techniques?

This LFI vulnerability in a public-facing WordPress theme enables unauthenticated remote exploitation of a web application (T1190) and facilitates arbitrary local file inclusion for data collection from the local system (T1005).

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