CVE-2025-12549: Rozy Flower Shop Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-12549 Overview

CVE-2025-12549 is a critical PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Rozy - Flower Shop WordPress theme developed by magentech. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem.

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), which represents a severe class of web application security flaws. When successfully exploited, attackers can read sensitive configuration files, access database credentials, or potentially achieve remote code execution by combining with other techniques such as log poisoning or PHP wrapper exploitation.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, API keys, and WordPress configuration data, which could lead to complete site compromise.

Affected Products

• Rozy - Flower Shop WordPress Theme version 1.2.25 and earlier
• All installations running vulnerable versions without security patches
• WordPress sites using the Rozy theme from magentech

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-08 - CVE-2025-12549 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-12549

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation when processing user-supplied filenames in PHP include or require statements within the Rozy WordPress theme. The theme fails to properly sanitize path parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and traverse the directory structure to access files outside the intended scope.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in PHP applications occur when user-controlled input is passed directly to include(), include_once(), require(), or require_once() functions without adequate filtering. This allows attackers to specify arbitrary file paths, potentially including sensitive system files or configuration data.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability combined with the absence of authentication requirements makes it particularly dangerous. An attacker can exploit this flaw remotely without any user interaction or prior privileges on the target system.

Root Cause

The root cause is the improper sanitization of user-controlled input before it is used in PHP file inclusion statements. The theme's code does not adequately validate or restrict the file paths that can be specified, failing to implement allowlist-based validation or proper canonicalization of file paths. Common issues include:

• Missing or insufficient path traversal filtering (e.g., ../ sequences)
• Lack of basename extraction to isolate filenames
• Failure to restrict file extensions or validate against an allowed file list
• No implementation of realpath() checks to prevent directory traversal

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without authentication. Attackers typically craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (such as ../) in vulnerable parameters to navigate to sensitive files on the server.

Common exploitation targets include:

• /etc/passwd - to enumerate system users
• wp-config.php - to extract database credentials and WordPress secrets
• .htaccess files - to understand access controls
• Application log files - for log poisoning attacks that can escalate to RCE

The exploitation typically involves manipulating URL parameters or POST data that the theme uses to dynamically include files. Attackers may use PHP wrappers like php://filter to exfiltrate file contents even when direct output is not possible.

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Database Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-12549

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting the Rozy theme
• Access attempts to sensitive files such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or .htaccess through theme endpoints
• Unusual file read operations in web server logs referencing the Rozy theme directory
• Evidence of PHP wrapper usage (php://filter, php://input) in request parameters

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in requests to WordPress theme endpoints
• Monitor HTTP access logs for anomalous requests containing ../ sequences or PHP wrapper protocols targeting the Rozy theme
• Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for LFI exploitation attempts
• Enable WordPress security plugins that audit and log file access patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for path traversal attempts in web application logs
• Monitor file system access to sensitive configuration files from the web server process
• Implement log aggregation to correlate suspicious requests across multiple WordPress installations
• Review access logs periodically for reconnaissance patterns targeting theme-specific endpoints

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-12549

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Rozy - Flower Shop theme to a patched version as soon as one becomes available
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily deactivating the theme and switching to a secure alternative
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal sequences targeting theme endpoints
• Audit server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts and investigate any suspicious activity

Patch Information

Organizations should monitor the official theme vendor (magentech) and the Patchstack Vulnerability Database for patch availability. Until an official patch is released, apply the workarounds listed below to reduce risk exposure.

Workarounds

• Implement server-level restrictions using open_basedir PHP directive to limit file inclusion to the WordPress directory
• Deploy ModSecurity or similar WAF with rules to block LFI attack patterns
• Use WordPress security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to add additional layers of protection
• Consider disabling or replacing the vulnerable theme with a secure alternative until patched

# Apache configuration to restrict directory traversal
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/themes/rozy">
    php_admin_value open_basedir "/var/www/html/"
</Directory>

# ModSecurity rule to block path traversal
SecRule REQUEST_URI|ARGS "@contains ../" "id:1,phase:1,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt Blocked'"