CVE-2026-28119
Published: 05 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-28119 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 24.3th 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-2026-28119 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified under CWE-98 and commonly known as PHP Remote File Inclusion, though it enables PHP Local File Inclusion in the axiomthemes Nirvana (nir-vana) WordPress theme. This flaw affects all versions of the Nirvana theme up to and including 2.6. The vulnerability 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 over the network without authentication or user interaction, though it requires high attack complexity. Successful exploitation allows remote unauthenticated attackers to perform local file inclusion, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, data exposure, or system compromise depending on the included files and server configuration.
Patchstack has documented this vulnerability in their database for the WordPress Nirvana theme version 2.6, providing details at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/nir-vana/vulnerability/wordpress-nirvana-theme-2-6-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve. Security practitioners should update to a patched version of the theme if available or remove it from production environments.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-9771
Vulnerability details
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in axiomthemes Nirvana nir-vana allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Nirvana: from n/a through <= 2.6.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
The vulnerability is a remote file inclusion flaw in a public-facing WordPress theme, directly enabling exploitation of a public-facing application.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly requires identification, reporting, and correction of flaws like improper filename controls in PHP include/require statements in the Nirvana WordPress theme.
Mandates validation of user inputs to filenames and paths used in file inclusion operations, preventing local file inclusion exploitation.
Enforces secure configuration settings such as PHP open_basedir restrictions or disabling allow_url_include to limit file access in vulnerable themes.