CVE-2025-24770: CraftXtore Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-24770 Overview

CVE-2025-24770 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the BZOTheme CraftXtore WordPress theme (bw-craftxtore). The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include local files from the server filesystem. This type of vulnerability can lead to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, and potentially remote code execution when combined with other attack techniques.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this Local File Inclusion vulnerability to read sensitive files from the web server, potentially exposing database credentials, configuration files, and other critical system information.

Affected Products

• BZOTheme CraftXtore (bw-craftxtore) WordPress Theme versions through 1.7
• WordPress installations running vulnerable CraftXtore theme versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-09 - CVE-2025-24770 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24770

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). In the CraftXtore WordPress theme, user-controllable input is improperly sanitized before being passed 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 configuration files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication keys. Additionally, when combined with techniques like log file poisoning or leveraging uploaded files, LFI can escalate to remote code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient input validation and sanitization in the CraftXtore theme's PHP code. The theme fails to properly validate or restrict user-supplied input before using it to construct file paths for PHP include or require operations. This allows attackers to use directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../) to escape intended directories and access arbitrary files on the filesystem.

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious HTTP requests that manipulate vulnerable parameters to include local files. The attack typically involves:

1. Identifying vulnerable file inclusion parameters in the CraftXtore theme
2. Using directory traversal sequences (../) to navigate to target files
3. Including sensitive system or WordPress configuration files
4. Potentially escalating to code execution by including log files or uploaded content containing PHP code

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can send HTTP requests to the vulnerable WordPress installation. Successful exploitation could lead to exposure of wp-config.php credentials, reading of system files like /etc/passwd, and potential full server compromise if combined with additional techniques.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24770

Indicators of Compromise

• Suspicious HTTP requests containing directory traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ..%252f) targeting CraftXtore theme files
• Web server access logs showing attempts to access sensitive files through theme parameters
• Unusual file access patterns in PHP error logs indicating failed include attempts
• Evidence of wp-config.php or /etc/passwd content in HTTP responses

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block directory traversal patterns in request parameters
• Monitor web server access logs for suspicious path traversal sequences targeting WordPress theme directories
• Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Use intrusion detection systems with signatures for common LFI exploitation patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging for all HTTP requests to WordPress installations running CraftXtore theme
• Set up alerts for access patterns indicative of LFI exploitation attempts
• Monitor for anomalous file read operations from the web server process
• Review authentication logs for signs of credential theft following potential wp-config.php exposure

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24770

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable or remove the CraftXtore (bw-craftxtore) theme immediately if running version 1.7 or earlier
• Switch to a secure alternative WordPress theme until a patched version is available
• Review web server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Rotate WordPress database credentials and authentication keys if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

No official patch information is currently available in the NVD data. Site administrators should monitor the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database for updates from BZOTheme regarding a security fix. Until a patch is released, removing or replacing the vulnerable theme is recommended.

Workarounds

• Remove or deactivate the CraftXtore theme and use an alternative WordPress theme
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing directory traversal patterns targeting the theme
• Restrict web server permissions to prevent PHP from reading files outside the WordPress directory
• Use PHP's open_basedir directive to limit file access to the web root and necessary directories

# Example php.ini or .htaccess configuration to restrict file access
# Add to php.ini for PHP-FPM or Apache mod_php
open_basedir = /var/www/html/:/tmp/

# Or add to .htaccess for Apache with mod_php
php_value open_basedir "/var/www/html/:/tmp/"