CVE-2026-22362 is a vulnerability categorized as improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP programs, specifically affecting the axiomthemes Photolia WordPress theme versions up to 1.0.3. The vulnerability enables Remote File Inclusion (RFI), where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter used in PHP's include or require functions to load malicious remote code. This occurs because the theme does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input controlling the file path, allowing arbitrary remote files to be included and executed within the context of the web server. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction, although it has a high attack complexity, possibly due to the need for specific conditions or crafted requests. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, including arbitrary code execution, data theft, defacement, or denial of service. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.1, reflecting high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability was reserved in early January 2026 and published in February 2026. Given the widespread use of WordPress and themes like Photolia, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using this theme without mitigation.

The impact of CVE-2026-22362 is severe for organizations using the Photolia theme on their WordPress sites. Exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely, potentially leading to full server compromise. This can result in data breaches, website defacement, unauthorized access to sensitive information, installation of backdoors or malware, and disruption of services. Since WordPress powers a large portion of the web, organizations relying on Photolia for their site design or functionality face risks including reputational damage, regulatory penalties if sensitive data is exposed, and operational downtime. The vulnerability's network accessibility and lack of authentication requirement increase the attack surface, making automated exploitation feasible once a reliable exploit is developed. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts mean that critical business functions hosted on affected servers could be severely disrupted or manipulated.

To mitigate CVE-2026-22362, organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the use of the Photolia theme, particularly versions up to 1.0.3. If an official patch or updated theme version is released, apply it promptly. In the absence of a patch, implement the following specific mitigations: (1) Disable remote URL includes in PHP by setting 'allow_url_include=Off' in the php.ini configuration to prevent inclusion of remote files; (2) Employ web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to manipulate include paths or inject remote URLs; (3) Review and harden theme code by adding strict validation and sanitization of any user input controlling file paths, ensuring only local, expected files can be included; (4) Restrict file permissions on the web server to limit the execution and modification of theme files; (5) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual access patterns or errors related to file inclusion attempts; (6) Consider isolating the affected site in a sandboxed environment or container to limit potential damage. Additionally, maintain regular backups and have an incident response plan ready in case of compromise.