Cyber Resilience

CVE-2026-27998

High

Published: 05 March 2026

Published
05 March 2026
Modified
22 April 2026
KEV Added
—
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 0.0042 33.1th percentile
Risk Priority 55 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2026-27998 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 33.1th 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-2026-27998 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion, which allows PHP Local File Inclusion in the ThemeREX Vixus WordPress theme. The issue affects Vixus versions from n/a through 1.0.16 and is associated with 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 network accessibility and significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Remote unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network, though it requires high attack complexity and no user interaction. Successful exploitation enables attackers to include local files via PHP's include/require statements, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, sensitive data exposure, file modification, or denial of service, aligning with the high impact ratings across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Mitigation details are available in the Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/vixus/vulnerability/wordpress-vixus-theme-1-0-16-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve, which covers the Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the Vixus WordPress theme version 1.0.16.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

A05:2025 Injection

EU & UK References

Vulnerability details

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeREX Vixus vixus allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Vixus: 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?

The vulnerability is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly exploited over the network via improper filename control in include/require statements, matching T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application.

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

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2025-58923Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-69057Shared CWE-98
CVE-2024-54263Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-28035Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-28024Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-67525Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-22707Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-69375Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-22443Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-53198Shared CWE-98

Affected Assets

Mitigating Controls

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI

SI-10 Information Input Validation good match
prevent

Directly mitigates the improper control of filenames in PHP include/require statements by validating user-supplied inputs to prevent local file inclusion.

SI-2 Flaw Remediation good match
prevent

Ensures timely patching and remediation of the LFI vulnerability in ThemeREX Vixus WordPress theme versions through 1.0.16.

RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning partial match
detect

Identifies the PHP LFI vulnerability via vulnerability scanning, enabling proactive remediation before exploitation.

References