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PHP EUVDEUVD-2026-15509

| CVE-2026-22502 HIGH
PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98)
2026-03-25 Patchstack GHSA-654x-phqm-38q6
8.1
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Craft malicious URL with local file path
  2. Exploit
    Submit request to vulnerable Mr. Cobbler include parameter
  3. Execution
    PHP executes arbitrary local file
  4. Impact
    Attacker gains code execution access

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling File inclusion prevention, allowlisting
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Command and Control

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

Remote unauthenticated attacker exploiting Local File Inclusion in AncoraThemes Mr. Cobbler <= 1.1.9. Requires crafted request with malicious file path parameter. AC:H indicates special conditions (non-default configuration or specific parameter manipulation) needed for successful exploitation.

Impact

Despite the absence of a CVSS score and EPSS exploitation probability score in the provided data, this vulnerability carries significant real-world risk. LFI vulnerabilities are highly exploitable with low attack complexity—typically requiring only HTTP GET/POST parameters and no authentication—placing them in the high-risk category. The attack vector is network-based and requires minimal user interaction. The primary impact is confidentiality/information disclosure rather than immediate code execution, yet information disclosure is a critical stepping stone to further attacks (e.g., obtaining credentials, discovering additional vulnerabilities, or reading source code). The lack of published CVSS and EPSS metrics may indicate this is a recent disclosure or community-sourced report; however, the presence of Patchstack reporting and ENISA EUVD tracking (EUVD-2026-15509) confirms official recognition. The searchable Patchstack database reference suggests proof-of-concept or vulnerability details are publicly available, elevating exploitation likelihood. This is a genuine priority issue requiring immediate patching in production WordPress installations running Mr. Cobbler.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker crafts a malicious URL targeting the Mr. Cobbler theme's vulnerable include parameter, such as 'http://target.com/?include=../../../../etc/passwd' or using a filter stream wrapper to encode and read wp-config.php containing database credentials. The attack requires only network access and no authentication, making it exploitable by unauthenticated remote attackers. Once sensitive files are disclosed, the attacker gains credentials or discovers further vulnerabilities for lateral movement or privilege escalation. Proof-of-concept code or ready-to-use exploits are likely available in public databases given Patchstack's public reporting.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 25, 2026

A Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability exists in AncoraThemes Mr. Cobbler WordPress theme through version 1.1.9, stemming from improper control of filenames in PHP include/require statements (CWE-98). An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to disclose sensitive local files from the affected server by manipulating include parameters. While no CVSS score or EPSS data is currently available and KEV status is unknown, the vulnerability is classified as high-severity due to its information disclosure impact and the ease with which LFI vulnerabilities are typically exploited.

RemediationAI

Immediately upgrade AncoraThemes Mr. Cobbler to a version newer than 1.1.9 if available from the vendor (check AncoraThemes official website or WordPress.org theme repository for patched releases). If an upgrade is not immediately available, disable or uninstall the Mr. Cobbler theme and switch to an alternative WordPress theme. As a temporary mitigation, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block requests containing path traversal sequences ('../', '..\\', encoded variants) and PHP stream wrapper prefixes ('file://', 'php://', 'filter://') in GET and POST parameters. Additionally, restrict file permissions on sensitive files like wp-config.php to read-only for the web server process, disable PHP execution in upload directories via .htaccess or web server configuration, and monitor application logs for suspicious file inclusion attempts. Apply principle of least privilege to WordPress file and directory ownership.

Affected VersionsENISA

Mr. Cobbler n/a ≤≤ 1.1.9

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

The vulnerability is rooted in CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), a classic PHP-specific weakness where user-controlled input is passed unsanitized to PHP's include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() functions. AncoraThemes Mr. Cobbler, identified by CPE cpe:2.3:a:ancorathemes:mr._cobbler:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*, is a WordPress theme that fails to properly validate or sanitize filename parameters before using them in file inclusion statements. This allows attackers to traverse the filesystem (using path traversal sequences like '../' or absolute paths) or exploit PHP stream wrappers (like file://, php://, or filter://) to include arbitrary files such as configuration files, logs, or source code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments where sensitive configuration files (wp-config.php) contain database credentials.

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 8.1 HIGH
AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in AncoraThemes Mr. Cobbler mr-cobbler allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Mr. Cobbler: from n/a through <= 1.1.9.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-22502 presents notable security risk rated CVSS 8.1. Successful exploitation could significantly impact the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of affected systems. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and consider compensating controls in the interim.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement network-level access controls to limit exposure; (2) Enable enhanced monitoring and alerting; (3) Apply principle of least privilege.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 83% exploitable
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.1%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

40
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +40
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities occur when an application accepts user-controlled input to specify which file should be loaded or executed, typically through functions like PHP's `include()`, `require()`, or `fopen()`.

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

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