CVE-2026-22394 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability found in the Mikado-Themes Evently WordPress theme, affecting versions up to 1.7. The root cause is improper control over the filename used in PHP include or require statements, allowing an attacker to manipulate the input and cause the application to include unintended local files. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive files such as configuration files, password stores, or source code, and in some cases, may allow remote code execution if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. The vulnerability arises because the theme does not properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input that determines which files to include. Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability is significant due to the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of Mikado-Themes. The lack of an official patch at the time of publication increases the risk for sites that have not implemented custom mitigations. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it easier for attackers to exploit remotely. The absence of a CVSS score necessitates an expert severity assessment based on the potential impact and exploitability.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-22394 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information through local file inclusion, which can compromise confidentiality. Attackers may access configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, or other secrets. In some scenarios, this vulnerability could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code, affecting integrity and availability of the affected systems. Organizations running WordPress sites with the Evently theme are at risk of data breaches, defacement, or further compromise if attackers chain this vulnerability with others. The impact extends to customer trust, regulatory compliance, and potential financial losses. Since WordPress powers a significant portion of the web, the scope of affected systems is broad, especially for websites that have not updated or patched the theme. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation without authentication increases the likelihood of attacks, particularly targeting high-profile or high-traffic websites using the theme.

1. Immediately monitor Mikado-Themes official channels for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them as soon as they become available. 2. In the interim, implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters controlling file inclusion to prevent manipulation. 3. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests attempting to exploit file inclusion, such as those containing directory traversal sequences or unexpected file paths. 4. Restrict PHP include paths using configuration directives (e.g., open_basedir) to limit accessible directories and prevent inclusion of unauthorized files. 5. Conduct thorough code reviews of customizations or child themes derived from Evently to identify and remediate unsafe file inclusion practices. 6. Regularly audit web server logs for unusual access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Educate site administrators on the risks and encourage timely updates of all WordPress themes and plugins. 8. Consider isolating critical web applications in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.