Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-23801 is a high-severity local file inclusion issue in the WordPress theme The Issue by fuelthemes, affecting versions through 1.6.11. A remote unauthenticated attacker could potentially make the site include unintended local files. The CVSS score is 8.1, reflecting possible confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, but exploitation is rated high complexity.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority exposure review for WordPress properties using The Issue theme. Do not assume compromise from the available evidence. Focus on identifying affected sites, confirming whether a vendor fix exists, and reducing exposure if the theme cannot be safely updated.
Technical view
The CVE describes improper control of filenames used in PHP include/require logic, mapped to CWE-98. The affected product is fuelthemes The Issue WordPress theme through version 1.6.11. The CVSS vector is AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Public sources do not name a fixed version or provide mitigation specifics.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites using the fuelthemes The Issue theme at version 1.6.11 or earlier. Sites not using this theme are not indicated as affected by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The issue is network-reachable and requires no authentication or user interaction, but CVSS marks attack complexity as high.
Researcher notes
Public data is sparse. The CVE and Patchstack entry identify the class and affected range but do not include exploit details, affected parameters, or a fixed version in the provided bundle. Avoid inferring exploitability beyond the CVSS vector and stated LFI condition.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for The Issue theme usage and version.
- Prioritize sites running The Issue version 1.6.11 or earlier.
- Check fuelthemes, Patchstack, and WordPress marketplace guidance for a fixed release.
- Apply a vendor-supported update when available.
- If no fix is available, consider disabling or replacing the theme.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether The Issue theme is installed on each WordPress site.
- Record the installed theme version from WordPress administration or asset inventory.
- Compare installed versions against affected range through 1.6.11.
- Review vendor and Patchstack advisories for updated remediation status.
- Monitor web logs and file integrity alerts for suspicious theme-related activity.
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
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
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
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-23801 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
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.