CVE-2026-22511 in NeoBeat Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Elated-Themes NeoBeat neobeat allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects NeoBeat: from n/a through <= 1.2.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2026
The CVE-2026-22511 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw that fundamentally undermines the security posture of Elated-Themes NeoBeat version 1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in include/require statements, creating an exploitable condition where remote attackers can manipulate file inclusion mechanisms to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The flaw specifically affects the NeoBeat theme framework, which is widely used in WordPress environments, making it particularly dangerous due to the prevalence of WordPress installations. The vulnerability resides in the theme's handling of user-supplied input within PHP include directives, allowing attackers to inject malicious file paths that bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic PHP Remote File Inclusion pattern where the application accepts user input and directly incorporates it into include/require statements without proper sanitization or validation. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing a specially formatted filename parameter, the vulnerable code executes the included file from an attacker-controlled location, potentially allowing remote code execution. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various vectors including direct web requests, crafted API calls, or even social engineering techniques that trick administrators into visiting malicious URLs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-22511 extends beyond simple code execution, creating a comprehensive attack surface that enables various malicious activities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, perform lateral movement within networks, and gain unauthorized access to databases and other system resources. The vulnerability can be exploited to upload malicious files, modify existing functionality, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. Given that NeoBeat is a popular WordPress theme, the impact is amplified across numerous websites and organizations that rely on this framework for their web presence. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-98 and CWE-88 categories, representing improper control of dynamic code generation and improper handling of potentially malicious input respectively, which are fundamental security weaknesses in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of NeoBeat beyond version 1.2, as this resolves the core file inclusion vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious filenames from being processed by include/require statements. The implementation of PHP's disable_functions directive and restriction of remote file access capabilities can provide additional layers of defense. Security measures should include monitoring for suspicious file inclusion patterns, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress installations. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreters, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls across multiple attack vectors.