Cyber Posture

CVE-2026-23801

High

Published: 05 March 2026

Published
05 March 2026
Modified
22 April 2026
KEV Added
—
Patch
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CVSS Score 8.1 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.0016 37.1th percentile
Risk Priority 16 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Description

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in fuelthemes The Issue theissue allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects The Issue: from n/a through <= 1.6.11.

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI

SI-2 Flaw Remediation good match
prevent

Requires timely identification, reporting, and correction of flaws like this PHP LFI vulnerability in the WordPress theme to prevent exploitation.

SI-10 Information Input Validation good match
prevent

Mandates validation of information inputs such as filenames in PHP include/require statements to block path traversal and local file inclusion attacks.

RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning partial match
detectrespond

Enables vulnerability scanning to identify the LFI flaw in the theme and trigger remediation, addressing exploitation potential.

Security SummaryAI

CVE-2026-23801 is an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement vulnerability, classified as PHP Local File Inclusion (CWE-98), in the WordPress theme "The Issue" developed by fuelthemes. This issue affects all versions of the theme from n/a through 1.6.11. 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), indicating high severity due to its potential for significant impact.

Unauthenticated remote attackers with network access can exploit this vulnerability, though it requires high attack complexity and no user interaction. Exploitation enables local file inclusion, resulting in high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts as reflected in the CVSS metrics.

The Patchstack advisory (https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Theme/theissue/vulnerability/wordpress-the-issue-theme-1-6-11-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve) documents the vulnerability specifically in WordPress theme "The Issue" version 1.6.11, recommending mitigation through updating to a version beyond 1.6.11 where available.

Details

CWE(s)
CWE-98

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 →
Why these techniques?

The LFI vulnerability in the public-facing WordPress theme directly enables T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) for remote unauthenticated exploitation and facilitates T1005 (Data from Local System) by allowing inclusion and potential execution of arbitrary local files, leading to sensitive data access.

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

References