CVE-2026-28026
Published: 05 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-28026 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 32.0th 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-2026-28026 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified as PHP Remote File Inclusion, within the ThemeREX Motorix WordPress theme. It enables PHP Local File Inclusion and affects all versions of Motorix from n/a through 1.6.
The vulnerability has 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 exploitation over the network by unauthenticated attackers with no user interaction required, though high attack complexity is necessary. Successful exploitation grants high-impact access to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially allowing attackers to read or execute arbitrary local files on the server.
Patchstack's advisory documents this Local File Inclusion issue specifically in Motorix theme version 1.6, providing details on the WordPress theme vulnerability at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/motorix/vulnerability/wordpress-motorix-theme-1-6-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-9688
Vulnerability details
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeREX Motorix motorix allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Motorix: from n/a through <= 1.6.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
The vulnerability is an unauthenticated remote local file inclusion (LFI) flaw in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly enabling exploitation of a public-facing application for unauthorized file access, data disclosure, and potential code execution.
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Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly addresses the CVE by requiring identification, reporting, and correction of the flaw in the Motorix theme's improper filename control for PHP include/require statements.
Requires validation of information inputs like user-supplied filenames to block path traversal attempts enabling local file inclusion.
Enforces secure configuration settings in PHP, such as open_basedir restrictions, to limit arbitrary local file access even if input validation fails.