CVE-2026-28056 in MCKinneys Politics 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 MCKinney's Politics mckinney-politics allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects MCKinney's Politics: from n/a through <= 1.2.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2026
The CVE-2026-28056 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw within ThemeREX MCKinney's Politics theme, specifically impacting versions through 1.2.8. 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 issue manifests when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into PHP include or require directives without adequate sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to manipulate the inclusion process and potentially load remote malicious files or local system files. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-98 Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement, which is classified as a high-risk weakness in software security practices. This weakness directly enables attackers to perform local file inclusion attacks, where they can leverage the vulnerable code path to access and execute local files on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially read system files, execute malicious code, and establish persistent access to the compromised server. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious input parameters that get processed by the vulnerable include/require statements, allowing the attacker to specify arbitrary file paths or URLs to be included. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where user input is not properly sanitized, as it can be exploited through various means including URL parameters, form submissions, or API endpoints that process user-provided data. The implications of this vulnerability are severe given that it affects a widely used WordPress theme, potentially exposing numerous websites to remote code execution attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-28056 require immediate attention and comprehensive implementation across affected systems. The primary recommendation involves updating the ThemeREX MCKinney's Politics theme to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability, as vendor patches typically contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls that prevent user-supplied data from being directly used in include/require statements, instead requiring whitelisting of acceptable file paths or implementing proper parameter sanitization. Security measures should include disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configurations through the use of allow_url_include=Off directive, which prevents PHP from including files from remote locations. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and network segmentation can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, which describes how attackers target vulnerabilities in publicly accessible applications to gain initial access to systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and dependencies, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader security gaps in application architecture and input handling practices.