Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-28052 is a high-severity local file inclusion issue reported in the ThemeREX Peter Mason WordPress theme through version 1.4.5. A remote unauthenticated attacker may be able to influence a PHP include/require path, potentially exposing sensitive local files or causing broader compromise depending on the application context.
Executive priority
Prioritize within the next patch cycle for all public WordPress properties, and handle urgently where Peter Mason is active on externally reachable production sites. If no vendor-confirmed patch is available, removal or disabling is the safest remediation path.
Technical view
The bundle describes an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement vulnerability, mapped to CWE-98, in the WordPress Peter Mason theme package petermason. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.1 with vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating network reachability, no required privileges, no user interaction, high attack complexity, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on internet-facing WordPress sites that have the ThemeREX Peter Mason theme installed, especially versions reported as affected through 1.4.5. The provided data does not establish whether inactive installations are exploitable, so sites should inventory both active and installed copies of the theme.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing and does not provide evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation is remote and unauthenticated but high complexity, so practical exploitation may depend on specific theme configuration, reachable code paths, or local file conditions.
Researcher notes
The bundle contains a wording mismatch: the description states Peter Mason is affected through <= 1.4.5, while the structured affected entry lists version "0" with defaultStatus "unaffected". Assessment is therefore based primarily on the CVE description, title, CVSS vector, CWE, and Patchstack reference included in the bundle. No exploit code, public exploitation evidence, or confirmed fixed version is present in the provided data.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress properties for the ThemeREX Peter Mason theme and record installed versions.
- Treat Peter Mason versions through 1.4.5 as vulnerable based on the provided CVE description.
- If a vulnerable version is present, disable or remove the theme where operationally feasible until vendor or trusted advisory guidance confirms a fixed version.
- Check ThemeREX, WordPress theme distribution channels, and the Patchstack advisory for confirmed remediation guidance before assuming a patched version exists.
- Apply a vendor-confirmed update when available and retest the site after deployment.
- Use compensating controls such as WAF or virtual patching from a trusted provider if available, especially for public-facing sites that cannot immediately remove the theme.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether the Peter Mason theme is installed and whether it is active on each WordPress site.
- Confirm the exact installed theme version and compare it with the reported affected range through 1.4.5.
- Review vendor or Patchstack guidance for a confirmed fixed release before marking the issue remediated.
- After mitigation, verify the vulnerable theme is no longer active or has been updated to a vendor-confirmed fixed version.
- Review web and application logs for unusual requests targeting theme PHP files or include-like parameters, while avoiding assumptions of compromise without corroborating evidence.
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-2026-28052 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.