CVE-2026-28050 in Beacon 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 Beacon beacon allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Beacon: from n/a through <= 2.24.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-28050 represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw that specifically impacts the ThemeREX Beacon plugin, creating significant security risks for affected systems. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of filename parameters in include/require statements, allowing attackers to manipulate the inclusion process and potentially execute arbitrary code on the target server. The issue exists within the beacon plugin's codebase and affects versions from the initial release through version 2.24, indicating a prolonged period during which this security weakness was present and exploitable.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application accepts user-supplied input directly into include or require statements without proper sanitization or validation. This allows malicious actors to inject file paths that point to remote servers or local files, bypassing normal access controls and potentially executing malicious code. The flaw specifically manifests in how the beacon plugin processes filename parameters, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can influence the file inclusion mechanism. This pattern aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper control of resource identifiers, and represents a classic example of local file inclusion vulnerabilities that have been documented extensively in the security community.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload malicious files, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges within the affected environment. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting malicious URLs or parameters that are then processed by the vulnerable plugin, potentially allowing remote code execution and full control over the web server. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting weaknesses in remote services, and represents a common attack vector that has been successfully used in numerous real-world incidents targeting content management systems and web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-28050 must prioritize immediate patching of the affected beacon plugin to version 2.25 or later, as this addresses the root cause of the vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configurations, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all web applications. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious requests that attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual file access patterns and attempts to include remote resources, as these may signal exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing regressions in functionality.