CVE-2026-22374 is a remote file inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the AncoraThemes Zio Alberto WordPress theme, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.2.2. The vulnerability arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to specify a remote file to be included and executed by the server. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, full system compromise, data theft, or site defacement. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it remotely exploitable over the network. However, the CVSS vector indicates a high attack complexity, suggesting some conditions or environment configurations must be met for successful exploitation. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as an attacker can execute malicious code, modify or exfiltrate data, and disrupt service. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and nature of the flaw make it a critical risk for affected installations. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by administrators. This vulnerability is typical of insecure coding practices in PHP applications where user input is not properly sanitized before being used in file inclusion functions.

The impact of CVE-2026-22374 is severe for organizations using the AncoraThemes Zio Alberto theme. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to take full control of the affected web server. This can result in data breaches, defacement of websites, deployment of malware or ransomware, and disruption of business operations. Confidential information stored or processed by the affected system may be exposed or altered. The availability of the service can be compromised, leading to downtime and loss of customer trust. Since the vulnerability does not require authentication, any attacker with network access to the vulnerable web server can attempt exploitation, increasing the attack surface. Organizations relying on this theme for their websites or web applications face significant risk, especially if their hosting environments lack additional security controls such as web application firewalls or strict input validation. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks once exploit code becomes publicly available.

To mitigate CVE-2026-22374, organizations should first check for and apply any official patches or updates from AncoraThemes as soon as they become available. In the absence of patches, administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization to prevent untrusted data from being used in include or require statements. Employing a web application firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block remote file inclusion attempts can provide an additional layer of defense. Restricting PHP configurations such as disabling allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen can reduce the risk of remote file inclusion. Running the web server with the least privileges necessary and isolating the web application environment can limit the impact of a successful exploit. Regularly auditing and monitoring web server logs for suspicious activity related to file inclusion attempts is also recommended. If possible, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the vulnerable theme until a secure version is released. Finally, educating developers and administrators about secure coding practices and the risks of dynamic file inclusion can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.