CVE-2025-24769: Zenny Theme Local File Inclusion Flaw

CVE-2025-24769 Overview

CVE-2025-24769 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the BZOTheme Zenny WordPress theme (bw-zenny). The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server. While classified as a PHP Remote File Inclusion (CWE-98) vulnerability type, the practical exploitation allows for PHP Local File Inclusion attacks against affected WordPress installations.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access credentials, or potentially achieve remote code execution through log poisoning or other LFI-to-RCE techniques on WordPress sites running the vulnerable Zenny theme.

Affected Products

• BZOTheme Zenny WordPress Theme version 1.7.5 and earlier
• WordPress installations using the bw-zenny theme package
• All versions from initial release through version 1.7.5

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-27 - CVE CVE-2025-24769 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24769

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The Zenny WordPress theme fails to properly validate or sanitize user-controlled input before passing it to PHP's include() or require() functions. This allows an attacker to manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress themes are particularly dangerous because they can expose sensitive WordPress configuration files like wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication keys. Additionally, attackers may chain this vulnerability with other techniques to achieve remote code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient input validation in the Zenny theme's PHP code where user-supplied data is used to construct file paths for include/require statements. The theme does not implement proper safeguards such as:

• Input sanitization to remove directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../)
• Allowlist validation for permitted file paths
• Use of WordPress safe file loading functions

This allows attackers to traverse directories and include files outside the intended scope.

Attack Vector

The attack vector involves manipulating HTTP request parameters that are processed by the vulnerable theme code. An attacker can craft malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences to escape the intended directory and access sensitive files elsewhere on the server filesystem.

Typical exploitation scenarios include:

1. Reading the WordPress wp-config.php file to obtain database credentials
2. Accessing system files like /etc/passwd to enumerate users
3. Reading PHP session files or log files for further exploitation
4. Combining with log poisoning techniques to achieve remote code execution

The vulnerability requires no authentication to exploit in typical configurations, making it accessible to unauthenticated remote attackers. For detailed technical information, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24769

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing directory traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ....//) targeting the Zenny theme files
• Web server logs showing attempts to access system files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php through theme parameters
• Unexpected file read operations from the WordPress theme directory traversing to parent directories

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for path traversal patterns in requests to WordPress theme endpoints
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress configuration files
• Review access logs for patterns indicative of LFI probing such as multiple requests with incrementing ../ sequences
• Deploy intrusion detection rules targeting common LFI payloads against the bw-zenny theme paths

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for WordPress theme file operations
• Configure alerting for any access attempts to wp-config.php from unexpected sources
• Monitor for anomalous PHP include operations that reference files outside the theme directory
• Implement real-time log analysis for directory traversal attack signatures

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24769

Immediate Actions Required

• Check if your WordPress installation uses the Zenny (bw-zenny) theme by navigating to Appearance > Themes in the WordPress admin dashboard
• If using an affected version (1.7.5 or earlier), consider temporarily switching to a different theme until a patch is available
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block path traversal attempts
• Restrict file system permissions to limit the impact of potential file inclusion attacks

Patch Information

Users should check the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for the latest patch availability and version updates from BZOTheme. Update the Zenny theme to the latest available version once a security patch is released by the vendor.

Workarounds

• Deploy ModSecurity or similar WAF with rules blocking directory traversal sequences in request parameters
• Use WordPress security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to add additional layers of protection against file inclusion attacks
• Consider disabling the theme temporarily and using an alternative until the vulnerability is patched
• Implement server-level restrictions using .htaccess rules to prevent path traversal attempts

# Apache .htaccess rule to block common LFI patterns
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]

# Block access to sensitive files
<FilesMatch "^wp-config\.php$">
    Order allow,deny
    Deny from all
</FilesMatch>