CVE-2026-28120
Local File Inclusion in ThemeREX Dr.Patterson
Publication date: 2026-03-05
Last updated on: 2026-03-05
Assigner: Patchstack
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| themerex | dr_patterson | From 1.0 (inc) to 1.3.2 (inc) |
| themerex | dr_patterson | to 1.3.2 (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-2026-28120 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability found in the WordPress Dr.Patterson Theme versions up to and including 1.3.2. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to include and display local files from the target website.
By exploiting this flaw, attackers can potentially access sensitive information stored on the server, such as database credentials.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to exposure of sensitive data and potentially a complete database takeover depending on the website's configuration."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Because the vulnerability allows attackers to include local files without authentication, it poses a high risk to the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system.'}] [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-2026-28120 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the WordPress Dr.Patterson Theme up to version 1.3.2 that allows unauthenticated attackers to include and display local files from the target website.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'To detect this vulnerability on your system, you can monitor web server logs for suspicious requests attempting to include local files via URL parameters, especially those targeting the Dr.Patterson theme.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Common detection commands or methods include using tools like curl or wget to test for LFI by sending crafted requests that attempt to include sensitive files such as /etc/passwd or wp-config.php.'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'curl -v "http://yourwebsite.com/wp-content/themes/dr-patterson/somefile.php?file=../../../../etc/passwd"'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': "grep -i 'file=' /var/log/apache2/access.log | grep -E '\\.\\./|etc/passwd|wp-config.php'"}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Additionally, web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting this vulnerability can help detect and block exploitation attempts.'}] [1]
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Since no official patch is currently available for the Dr.Patterson theme vulnerability CVE-2026-28120, immediate mitigation steps are critical.
- Apply the mitigation rule issued by Patchstack to block attacks targeting this vulnerability until an official patch is released.
- Restrict access to the vulnerable theme files by implementing proper file permissions and disabling direct access where possible.
- Use a web application firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious requests attempting Local File Inclusion.
- Monitor your web server logs for suspicious activity related to file inclusion attempts.
Consider temporarily disabling or replacing the Dr.Patterson theme if feasible until a secure version is released.