CVE-2025-24760: Sofass Theme File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2025-24760 Overview

CVE-2025-24760 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Sofass WordPress theme developed by goalthemes. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, allowing attackers to include local files from the server. This weakness, classified as CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files, information disclosure, and potentially remote code execution if combined with other attack vectors.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this Local File Inclusion vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing configuration data, credentials, and enabling further system compromise.

Affected Products

• WordPress Sofass Theme version 1.3.4 and earlier
• All installations of goalthemes Sofass theme through version 1.3.4

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-27 - CVE-2025-24760 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24760

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation and sanitization of user-controlled input that is subsequently used in PHP include or require statements within the Sofass WordPress theme. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary local files from the web server's filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress themes are particularly dangerous because they can expose sensitive configuration files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication keys. Additionally, if an attacker can combine LFI with file upload capabilities or log poisoning techniques, the vulnerability could be escalated to achieve remote code execution.

The network-based attack vector indicates this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, though the high attack complexity suggests specific conditions must be met for successful exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-24760 lies in the improper handling of user-supplied input within PHP include or require statements in the Sofass theme. The theme fails to properly validate, sanitize, or restrict the file paths that can be included, allowing attackers to traverse directory structures and include files outside the intended scope.

This type of vulnerability typically occurs when:

• User input is directly concatenated into file path strings
• Insufficient path traversal filtering (e.g., ../ sequences)
• Missing allowlist validation for permitted file inclusions
• Lack of proper file extension restrictions

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, meaning remote attackers can exploit it through HTTP requests to the vulnerable WordPress site. The exploitation typically involves manipulating request parameters that control which files are included by the PHP application.

An attacker would craft malicious requests containing path traversal sequences to navigate outside the web application's directory and access sensitive system files. Common targets include /etc/passwd for system user enumeration, WordPress configuration files, and PHP session files.

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the affected Sofass theme endpoints. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, limited only by the web server's file permissions. For detailed technical information, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24760

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or encoded variants targeting Sofass theme files
• Web server access logs showing requests attempting to access sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or other configuration files
• Unexpected file read operations or access attempts to files outside the WordPress installation directory
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or permission denied errors for sensitive system paths

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing suspicious path traversal sequences targeting theme endpoints
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on sensitive configuration files to detect unauthorized access attempts
• Utilize SentinelOne's Singularity Platform to monitor for anomalous file access patterns and suspicious PHP execution behaviors

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on web servers to capture full request URIs and parameters for forensic analysis
• Configure alerting for access attempts to sensitive files such as wp-config.php, .htaccess, and system files
• Monitor PHP error logs for file inclusion warnings or errors that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Implement real-time threat detection using SentinelOne to identify and respond to LFI exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24760

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Sofass WordPress theme to the latest patched version if available from goalthemes
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling or removing the Sofass theme until a fix is released
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting the affected theme
• Review web server access logs for any evidence of prior exploitation attempts
• Restrict file system permissions to limit the web server's access to sensitive files

Patch Information

As of the last NVD update on 2026-04-23, users should consult the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest patch status and remediation guidance from the vendor. Check with goalthemes for updated versions of the Sofass theme that address this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Implement strict input validation on any user-controllable parameters that influence file inclusion operations
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules specifically designed to detect and block LFI attempts
• Use PHP's open_basedir configuration directive to restrict file access to the WordPress installation directory
• Consider implementing virtual patching through security plugins such as Patchstack or Wordfence until an official patch is available

# Example: Restrict PHP file access using open_basedir in php.ini or .htaccess
# Add to php.ini for the affected site
open_basedir = /var/www/html/wordpress/:/tmp/

# Or add to .htaccess in the WordPress root directory
php_value open_basedir /var/www/html/wordpress/:/tmp/