# CVE-2026-22521: WordPress Handmade Framework plugin <= 3.9 - Local File Inclusion vulnerability

> Attackers can exploit a local file inclusion vulnerability in the Handmade Framework plugin to read sensitive files or execute arbitrary code.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 8 Jan 2026
- **Updated:** 28 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-f5vm-3c88-r99x

## What is CVE-2026-22521?

CVE-2026-22521 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in G5Theme Handmade Framework, published on 8 Jan 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in G5Theme Handmade Framework handmade-framework allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Handmade Framework: from n/a through <= 3.9.

Weakness: CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-22521?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-22521?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-22521 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-22521 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-22521 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-22521 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-22521 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in G5Theme Handmade Framework, published on 8 Jan 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-22521 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: G5Theme Handmade Framework. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-22521/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-22521/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-22521
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22521
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-22521

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-22521/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.