---
title: "CVE-2026-87902: WordPress Core Remote File Inclusion Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-87902/
description: "CVE-2026-87902 (WordPress Core): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). An unauthenticated attacker can make getpagetemplate() page-template resolution include a…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2026-09-22
date_modified: 2026-10-21
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2026-87902"
kev: true
cvss: 8.1
epss: 0.39979
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2026-87902: WordPress Core Remote File Inclusion Vulnerability

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Yes, if you run WordPress Core. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-09-25, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-09-28 ; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 40.0% , percentile 99: FIRST’s model estimates a 40.0% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
- Editorial verdict: Act now. WordPress Core: Page-Template File Inclusion to RCE — Every WordPress branch back to 4.7 was affected, no login is needed, public scanning tooling exists and attackers are already writing files through pearcmd.php, so confirm you are on a fixed release today.

## What it is

An unauthenticated attacker can make getpagetemplate() page-template resolution include a chosen readable local .php file outside the active theme directories. If relevant pre-conditions for both the server and the active theme are met, this can lead to RCE.

## Affected products (CVE record)

- WordPress WordPress: < 7.1.2

## Severity

- CISA-ADP CVSS 3.1: 8.1 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: added 2026-09-25; federal due date 2026-09-28. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active , automatable no , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 39.98% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.

## Sources

- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (github.com)](https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-7hp8-65ch-5whp)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2026-87902](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-87902)
- [NVD entry CVE-2026-87902](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-87902)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-87902)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov)](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov)](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk)
- [patchstack.com](https://patchstack.com/articles/cve-2026-87902-attackers-started-probing-wordpress-sites-hours-after-the-patch/)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-87902/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt