Cyber Resilience

CVE-2026-28118

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 0.0034 25.4th percentile
Risk Priority 55 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2026-28118 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 25.4th 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-2026-28118 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement vulnerability, classified as a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) issue (CWE-98), in the Welldone WordPress theme by axiomthemes. The flaw stems from inadequate validation in PHP include/require statements, affecting all versions of the Welldone theme up to and including 2.4. 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).

Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network without user interaction, though it requires high attack complexity. Exploitation enables attackers to include arbitrary local files, potentially leading to high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, such as unauthorized access to sensitive data or server compromise.

The Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/welldone/vulnerability/wordpress-welldone-theme-2-4-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve provides details on the vulnerability in the Welldone theme version 2.4 and guidance for mitigation, which security practitioners should review for patching recommendations.

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 axiomthemes Welldone welldone allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Welldone: from n/a through <= 2.4.

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 public-facing WordPress theme flaw (LFI leading to RCE) exploitable remotely by unauthenticated attackers, directly mapping to exploitation of public-facing applications.

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 PHP Local File Inclusion by requiring validation of filenames used in include/require statements to block arbitrary local file access.

SI-2 Flaw Remediation good match
prevent

Requires timely identification, reporting, and patching of the specific flaw in the Welldone WordPress theme up to version 2.4.

RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning partial match
preventdetect

Supports scanning WordPress themes for known vulnerabilities like CVE-2026-28118 to enable proactive remediation.

References