Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-22498 affects the WordPress Laurent theme up to version 3.1. The flaw can allow local file inclusion, meaning an attacker may cause the site to load files it should not. Reported impact is high for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but exploitation is rated high complexity and no active exploitation is cited.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for any public WordPress site using Laurent <= 3.1. Prioritize inventory first, then patch or remove affected deployments once vendor guidance is confirmed.
Technical view
The CVE describes improper control of a filename used in PHP include/require logic in Elated-Themes Laurent. CVSS 3.1 is 8.1: network-accessible, unauthenticated, no user interaction, high complexity, unchanged scope, and high CIA impact. The source names affected versions as Laurent through <= 3.1.
Likely exposure
Internet-facing WordPress sites using the Laurent theme version 3.1 or older are the likely exposure. Sites not using this theme are not indicated as affected by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and the sources do not cite active exploitation. CVSS indicates remote unauthenticated attack potential, but with high attack complexity.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE entry and Patchstack reference. The bundle does not provide vulnerable parameters, proof of concept, patch details, or exploitation evidence. Avoid assuming broader WordPress, plugin, or theme impact beyond Laurent <= 3.1.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the Laurent theme and record installed versions.
- Check Patchstack, the CVE record, and vendor channels for official remediation guidance.
- Update the theme if an official fixed version is available.
- If no fix is available, consider disabling or replacing the theme based on business risk.
- Restrict administrative access and maintain current WordPress, plugin, and theme baselines.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Laurent is installed on each WordPress site.
- Verify the installed Laurent version is greater than 3.1, if a fixed version exists.
- Review vendor or Patchstack advisory status for patch availability.
- Check web and application logs for unusual file access or include-related errors.
- Document compensating controls for any site that cannot be remediated quickly.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-98: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-22498 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.25.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.