CVE-2026-28010 in Scientia 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 Scientia scientia allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Scientia: from n/a through <= 1.2.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The CVE-2026-28010 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw that directly impacts the ThemeREX Scientia theme, specifically within versions ranging from the initial release through 1.2.4. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in include or require statements, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is subsequently used in dynamic include operations, allowing attackers to inject malicious file paths that can lead to unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of include/require statements. When the Scientia theme processes user input through parameters such as 'file', 'page', or 'include', it fails to properly validate these inputs before passing them to PHP's include or require functions. This creates a direct attack surface where remote attackers can manipulate the include path to reference malicious files hosted on external servers or local files on the target system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests that manipulate query parameters, making it particularly dangerous due to its ease of exploitation and potential for remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the potential for establishing persistent backdoors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files, escalate privileges, or use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate theme functionality but can also impact the broader WordPress ecosystem if the theme is used in conjunction with other vulnerable components. Additionally, the remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-28010 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading the ThemeREX Scientia theme to version 1.2.5 or later, which contains patches specifically designed to address the improper input validation in include statements. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures within their applications, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters passed to include or require functions undergo strict validation. This includes implementing whitelisting mechanisms for file paths, using absolute paths instead of relative ones, and implementing proper access controls. Security measures should also include monitoring for suspicious include operations and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious parameter injection attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other components of their web applications, as this type of vulnerability is common across many PHP-based systems and can be exploited through similar attack vectors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security controls and regular patch management procedures to prevent exploitation of such remote code execution vulnerabilities.