CVE-2026-28006 in Yungen Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2026
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in ThemeREX Yungen yungen allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Yungen: from n/a through <= 1.0.12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2026
The CVE-2026-28006 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw in the ThemeREX Yungen yungen theme, specifically impacting versions through 1.0.12. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in include/require statements, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists within the theme's codebase where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into PHP include directives without adequate sanitization or validation, making it susceptible to local file inclusion attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the include/require statements by injecting malicious file paths or URLs into parameters that control which files are loaded. When the vulnerable theme processes these parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before passing it to PHP's include or require functions. This creates an environment where an attacker can potentially load local files from the server or even remote files from attacker-controlled servers, leading to arbitrary code execution and complete system compromise. The vulnerability falls under CWE-98 which specifically addresses improper control of a resource through filename manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to WordPress installations using the affected Yungen theme. Attackers can exploit this flaw to execute malicious PHP code, potentially gaining full administrative control over the website, extracting sensitive data, or using the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential data breaches, website defacement, and service disruption. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 which covers server-side include attacks, and T1071.003 which addresses application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated through various attack frameworks, making it particularly dangerous. Organizations using the affected theme version should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and restricting PHP's allow_url_include directive. Additionally, the recommended approach involves updating to the latest version of the Yungen theme where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing proper access controls, and monitoring for suspicious file inclusion patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.