CVE-2026-22364 is a vulnerability classified as 'Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program,' commonly known as a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) flaw, found in the axiomthemes SevenTrees WordPress theme versions up to 1.0.2. The vulnerability arises because the theme improperly validates or sanitizes user-supplied input used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to manipulate the filename parameter. This manipulation can lead to inclusion of unintended local files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive information such as configuration files, source code, or credentials. In some cases, LFI can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution (RCE) by including files that contain attacker-controlled code or by chaining with other vulnerabilities. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.1, reflecting a high severity with network attack vector, high complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability was published on February 20, 2026, with no known exploits in the wild at the time of reporting. The affected product, SevenTrees, is a WordPress theme developed by axiomthemes, commonly used for website design. The lack of available patches or updates at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for mitigation. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely by unauthenticated attackers, making it a critical concern for websites using this theme. The improper input validation in PHP include/require statements is a well-known security risk that can lead to severe consequences if exploited.

The impact of CVE-2026-22364 is significant for organizations using the SevenTrees WordPress theme. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read arbitrary files on the web server, potentially exposing sensitive data such as database credentials, configuration files, or user data. Furthermore, attackers may achieve remote code execution by including malicious files, leading to full system compromise. This can result in data breaches, website defacement, service disruption, or use of the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, increasing the risk of automated exploitation and widespread attacks. Organizations hosting public-facing websites with this theme are particularly vulnerable, as attackers can exploit the flaw remotely over the internet. The high CVSS score (8.1) reflects the critical nature of the threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the potential for rapid weaponization is high. Overall, the vulnerability poses a severe risk to the security posture of affected organizations, potentially leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

To mitigate CVE-2026-22364, organizations should immediately assess their use of the SevenTrees WordPress theme and upgrade to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, temporary mitigations include disabling or restricting access to vulnerable PHP include/require functionality via web application firewall (WAF) rules that block suspicious requests containing directory traversal or file inclusion patterns. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters, especially those used in file inclusion functions. Restrict file permissions on the server to limit access to sensitive files and directories, minimizing the impact of potential LFI exploitation. Employ security plugins or tools that detect and block LFI attempts. Monitor web server logs for unusual requests indicative of file inclusion attacks. Additionally, consider isolating the web server environment using containerization or sandboxing to limit the blast radius of a successful exploit. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable quick recovery in case of compromise. Finally, maintain an incident response plan tailored to web application attacks to ensure rapid containment and remediation.