CVE-2026-32500

High

Published: 25 March 2026

Published

25 March 2026

Modified

24 April 2026

KEV Added

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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 0.0040 32.0th percentile

Risk Priority 55 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2026-32500 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-2026-32500 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program vulnerability, classified as a PHP Remote File Inclusion issue that enables PHP Local File Inclusion, affecting the CreativeWS MetaMax WordPress theme (metamax). This flaw impacts all versions from n/a through 1.1.4.

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 without user interaction, though it requires high attack complexity. Successful exploitation allows high-impact compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially enabling attackers to include and execute local files on the server.

The Patchstack advisory at https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/metamax/vulnerability/wordpress-metamax-theme-1-1-4-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve details the vulnerability in the MetaMax WordPress theme version 1.1.4. Practitioners should consult this reference for specific patch or mitigation guidance, such as theme updates.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2026-15849

Vulnerability details

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in CreativeWS MetaMax metamax allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects MetaMax: from n/a through <= 1.1.4.

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 →

T1005 Data from Local System Collection

Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems, configuration files, local databases, virtual machine files, or process memory, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to Exfiltration.

attack.mitre.org →

T1083 File and Directory Discovery Discovery

Adversaries may enumerate files and directories or may search in specific locations of a host or network share for certain information within a file system.

attack.mitre.org →

T1552.001 Credentials In Files Credential Access

Adversaries may search local file systems and remote file shares for files containing insecurely stored credentials.

attack.mitre.org →

Why these techniques?

The LFI vulnerability in a public-facing WordPress theme enables exploitation of public-facing applications (T1190), reading arbitrary local files for data collection (T1005, T1083), and accessing unsecured credentials in files like wp-config.php (T1552.001).

Confidence: HIGH · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0