CVE-2026-28020
Published: 05 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-28020 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 38.1th 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).
Threat & Defense at a Glance
Threat & Defense Details
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI
Requires validation of filename inputs in PHP include/require statements, directly preventing exploitation of improper filename control leading to local file inclusion.
Mandates timely identification, reporting, and patching of known flaws like this LFI vulnerability in the Chroma WordPress theme.
Restricts inputs to safe, whitelisted filenames or paths, blocking malicious local file paths from being processed in PHP includes.
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
LFI vulnerability in public-facing WordPress theme enables exploitation of public-facing application (T1190) and facilitates reading data from local system files (T1005).
NVD Description
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeREX Chroma chroma allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Chroma: from n/a through <= 1.11.
Deeper analysisAI
CVE-2026-28020 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, commonly known as PHP Remote File Inclusion, in the ThemeREX Chroma WordPress theme. This flaw enables PHP Local File Inclusion and affects all versions of Chroma from n/a through 1.11 inclusive. The vulnerability is associated with CWE-98 and 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 confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely over the network without requiring user privileges or interaction, though it demands high attack complexity. Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to perform local file inclusion, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive files, arbitrary code execution, or system compromise depending on the included files and server configuration.
Patchstack has documented this issue in their vulnerability database for the WordPress Chroma theme version 1.11, providing details on the local file inclusion flaw. Security practitioners should refer to https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/chroma/vulnerability/wordpress-chroma-theme-1-11-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve for advisory information, including any recommended patches or workarounds. The CVE was published on 2026-03-05.
Details
- CWE(s)