Cyber Resilience

CVE-2026-28021

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-2026-28021 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 RA-5 (Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning) and SI-10 (Information Input Validation).

Deeper analysis

CVE-2026-28021 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement vulnerability, classified as a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) issue, in the ThemeREX Craftis WordPress theme. This flaw affects Craftis versions from n/a through 1.2.8, stemming from CWE-98. Published on 2026-03-05, 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 significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this over the network with high attack complexity and no user interaction. Exploitation enables local file inclusion, allowing remote adversaries to include and potentially execute arbitrary local PHP files on the server, leading to high-impact outcomes such as data disclosure, modification, or denial of service.

The Patchstack advisory documents this Local File Inclusion vulnerability specifically in WordPress Craftis theme version 1.2.8, with details available at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/craftis/vulnerability/wordpress-craftis-theme-1-2-8-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve. Security practitioners should review this reference for recommended mitigation steps.

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 Craftis craftis allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Craftis: from n/a through <= 1.2.8.

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 →
T1083 File and Directory Discovery Discovery
Adversaries may enumerate files and directories or may search in specific locations of a host or network share for certain information within a file system.
attack.mitre.org →
T1552.001 Credentials In Files Credential Access
Adversaries may search local file systems and remote file shares for files containing insecurely stored credentials.
attack.mitre.org →
Why these techniques?

LFI vulnerability in public-facing WordPress theme enables remote exploitation of public-facing application (T1190) and facilitates reading local files for data from local system (T1005), file and directory discovery (T1083), and unsecured credentials in files (T1552.001).

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

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2025-69409Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-28034Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-28053Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-22478Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-22415Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-58803Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-32500Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-26137Shared CWE-98
CVE-2025-59558Shared CWE-98
CVE-2026-28028Shared CWE-98

Affected Assets

Mitigating Controls

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI

SI-2 Flaw Remediation good match
prevent

Directly mitigates CVE-2026-28021 by identifying, reporting, and correcting the LFI flaw in the Craftis WordPress theme through timely patching.

SI-10 Information Input Validation good match
prevent

Implements input validation at points where filenames are supplied for PHP include/require statements, preventing improper control leading to local file inclusion.

RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning good match
detect

Monitors and scans for vulnerabilities like CVE-2026-28021 in WordPress themes, identifying the affected Craftis versions for remediation.

References