CVE-2026-22403 in Innovio Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Mikado-Themes Innovio innovio allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Innovio: from n/a through <= 1.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2026
The CVE-2026-22403 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw that exposes Mikado-Themes Innovio versions up to and including 1.7 to potential exploitation. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in include/require statements within the PHP application code, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. The flaw specifically affects the Innovio theme framework, which is widely used in WordPress environments, making it a significant concern for website administrators and security professionals. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary file paths into the include/require directives, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution and complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that gets passed to PHP's include or require functions. When an attacker can control the filename parameter used in these statements, they can potentially reference local files on the server or even remote malicious files if the server allows remote file inclusion. This weakness directly maps to CWE-98, which describes improper control of code execution through dynamic calls or file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through parameter manipulation in HTTP requests, particularly targeting parameters that influence file loading operations within the theme's codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. Successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the WordPress installation, allowing attackers to modify website content, steal sensitive data, install backdoors, or use the compromised server for further attacks. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Innovio theme up to 1.7, meaning that a substantial number of WordPress sites utilizing this theme are potentially at risk. Additionally, the attack surface is expanded due to the widespread adoption of Mikado-Themes across various WordPress installations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in large-scale attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-22403 should focus on immediate remediation through theme updates provided by Mikado-Themes, as well as implementing defensive programming practices. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input passed to include/require statements is properly validated and sanitized, implementing strict whitelisting of acceptable file paths or using absolute paths with predefined directories. The implementation of PHP's open_basedir directive and disabling of remote file inclusion features through the disable_functions directive can provide additional layers of protection. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, as it represents a common attack vector targeting web applications. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles, with particular attention to the principle of least privilege in file inclusion operations.