CVE-2026-28123
Published: 05 March 2026
Summary
CVE-2026-28123 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-2026-28123 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement vulnerability, classified as a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) issue despite the descriptor referencing PHP Remote File Inclusion, affecting the Veil WordPress theme developed by AncoraThemes. The flaw impacts all versions of Veil up to and including 1.9, stemming from CWE-98. 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 potential for significant confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability over the network, though it requires high attack complexity with no user interaction needed. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to include and execute arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to high-impact outcomes such as unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of files, or denial of service.
The Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/veil/vulnerability/wordpress-veil-theme-1-9-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve details the vulnerability in the Veil theme version 1.9 and provides guidance on mitigation, including recommendations for applying patches or updating to a fixed version where available.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-9775
Vulnerability details
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes Veil veil allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Veil: from n/a through <= 1.9.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
CVE-2026-28123 is a local file inclusion vulnerability in a public-facing WordPress theme, exploitable remotely without privileges, directly enabling exploitation of a public-facing application.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly mitigates the LFI vulnerability by identifying, patching, or updating the affected Veil WordPress theme to a fixed version.
Requires validation of filenames used in PHP include/require statements, preventing attackers from specifying arbitrary local files.
Enforces secure PHP configuration settings like open_basedir or disabling dangerous functions to restrict the scope of local file access even if inputs are malformed.