CVE-2026-27997

High

Published: 05 March 2026

Published

05 March 2026

Modified

22 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 0.0043 34.5th percentile

Risk Priority 55 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2026-27997 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 34.5th 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-2026-27997 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 (LFI), affecting the ThemeREX Maxify WordPress theme. The issue impacts all versions from n/a through 1.0.16. 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) and maps to CWE-98. The vulnerability was published on 2026-03-05.

Unauthenticated attackers with network access can exploit this vulnerability remotely, though it requires high attack complexity. Successful exploitation allows high-impact compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially enabling attackers to include and execute local files on the server, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or further system compromise depending on the targeted files.

Patchstack provides details on the vulnerability in the Maxify WordPress theme via their database advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/maxify/vulnerability/wordpress-maxify-theme-1-0-16-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve, which security practitioners should consult for mitigation guidance, such as applying available patches or updates beyond version 1.0.16.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-9667

Vulnerability details

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeREX Maxify maxify allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Maxify: from n/a through <= 1.0.16.

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?

CVE-2026-27997 is a remote/local file inclusion vulnerability in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly enabling exploitation of public-facing applications via unauthenticated remote access.

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