CVE-2026-28095
Published: 05 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-28095 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-2026-28095 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, known as PHP Remote File Inclusion, within the ThemeREX Marcell WordPress theme. This flaw enables PHP Local File Inclusion and affects the Marcell theme from unspecified initial versions through 1.2.14. Published on 2026-03-05, it 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).
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network without requiring user interaction, though exploitation demands high attack complexity. Successful attacks can result in high impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially allowing attackers to include and execute local files on the server.
The Patchstack advisory provides details on this vulnerability in the WordPress Marcell theme version 1.2.14, including mitigation guidance, accessible at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/marcell/vulnerability/wordpress-marcell-theme-1-2-14-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-9750
Vulnerability details
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeREX Marcell marcell allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Marcell: from n/a through <= 1.2.14.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Unauthenticated remote Local File Inclusion vulnerability in a public-facing WordPress theme directly enables T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Timely remediation through patching the vulnerable ThemeREX Marcell WordPress theme beyond version 1.2.14 directly eliminates the PHP Local File Inclusion flaw.
Validating filenames used in PHP include/require statements prevents attackers from injecting malicious local file paths leading to unauthorized file execution.
Restricting inputs to whitelisted filenames or paths for file inclusion operations blocks exploitation of improper filename controls in the theme.