CVE-2026-27998
Local File Inclusion in ThemeREX Vixus ≤1.0.16 Allows Code Execution
Publication date: 2026-03-05
Last updated on: 2026-03-06
Assigner: Patchstack
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| themerex | vixus | to 1.0.16 (inc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-98 | The PHP application receives input from an upstream component, but it does not restrict or incorrectly restricts the input before its usage in "require," "include," or similar functions. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
CVE-2026-27998 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability found in the WordPress Vixus Theme versions up to and including 1.0.16.
This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to include and display local files from the target website by exploiting improper control of filename in PHP include/require statements.
As a result, sensitive information such as database credentials can be exposed.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to the exposure of sensitive files on the server, including database credentials.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "Depending on the website's configuration, an attacker could potentially take over the entire database."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'The vulnerability has a high severity score (CVSS 8.1), indicating a high risk and likelihood of exploitation.'}] [1]
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
I don't know
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'CVE-2026-27998 is a Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the WordPress Vixus Theme (versions up to 1.0.16) that allows unauthenticated attackers to include and display local files. Detection typically involves monitoring for suspicious HTTP requests attempting to exploit file inclusion, such as requests containing file path traversal patterns or attempts to include sensitive files.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'While no specific detection commands are provided in the available resources, common approaches include inspecting web server logs for unusual URL parameters or payloads that reference local files, for example using grep commands on access logs:'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'grep -iE "(\\.|%2e){2,}/" /var/log/apache2/access.log'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'grep -i "include" /var/log/apache2/access.log'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Additionally, web application firewalls (WAFs) or intrusion detection systems (IDS) with rules targeting Local File Inclusion attacks can help detect exploitation attempts.'}] [1]
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Since no official patch is currently available for CVE-2026-27998, immediate mitigation involves implementing the Patchstack mitigation rule designed to block attacks exploiting this Local File Inclusion vulnerability.
Users are advised to apply this mitigation rule as soon as possible to protect their websites from potential exploitation.
Additional general mitigation steps include:
- Restricting access to vulnerable theme files and directories.
- Using a web application firewall (WAF) to block suspicious requests.
- Monitoring logs for exploitation attempts.
Ultimately, updating to a patched version of the theme once available is recommended.