CVE-2025-28947: MBStore WordPress Theme LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-28947 Overview

CVE-2025-28947 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the MBStore - Digital WooCommerce WordPress Theme developed by snstheme. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP programs (CWE-98), allowing attackers to include local files from the server filesystem through manipulated input parameters.

This vulnerability enables unauthorized attackers to read sensitive files from the server, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, and other sensitive data. In certain configurations, LFI vulnerabilities can be chained with other techniques to achieve remote code execution.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network to read arbitrary files from the server, potentially leading to information disclosure, credential theft, and further system compromise.

Affected Products

• MBStore - Digital WooCommerce WordPress Theme versions up to and including 2.3
• WordPress installations using the vulnerable MBStore theme
• WooCommerce stores utilizing the affected theme version

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-27 - CVE-2025-28947 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-28947

Vulnerability Analysis

The MBStore WordPress theme contains a PHP Local File Inclusion vulnerability that occurs when user-supplied input is improperly sanitized before being used in PHP include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() statements. This allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem.

While the vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (PHP Remote File Inclusion), the actual impact in this case is limited to Local File Inclusion. The attack requires no authentication and can be performed remotely over the network, though the complexity is considered high as specific conditions may need to be met for successful exploitation.

Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive server files, including WordPress configuration files (wp-config.php), .htaccess files, system files like /etc/passwd, and other application data. If combined with log poisoning or file upload functionality, this vulnerability could potentially be escalated to achieve code execution.

Root Cause

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization in the MBStore theme's PHP code. When the theme processes user input to dynamically determine which files to include, it fails to properly restrict the file paths to intended directories. This allows path traversal sequences (such as ../) and direct file path specifications to escape the intended directory context.

The lack of proper whitelist validation, directory restriction, or sanitization of null bytes and special characters enables attackers to traverse the filesystem and include files outside the theme's intended scope.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring authentication. An attacker crafts malicious HTTP requests containing manipulated file path parameters targeting the vulnerable include functionality in the MBStore theme. The attack flow typically involves:

1. Identifying endpoints in the MBStore theme that accept file path parameters
2. Crafting requests with path traversal sequences to escape the intended directory
3. Targeting sensitive files such as WordPress configuration or system files
4. Extracting sensitive information from the included file contents

The vulnerability requires specific conditions to be exploited successfully, as indicated by the high attack complexity. However, once these conditions are met, the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is significant.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-28947

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to WordPress theme endpoints containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2F, %2e%2e/)
• Access logs showing requests targeting theme files with unusual file path parameters
• Attempts to access sensitive files like wp-config.php or /etc/passwd through theme endpoints
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts from unexpected directories

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Monitor web server access logs for suspicious file path patterns targeting theme directories
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on LFI attack signatures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed PHP error logging and monitor for include/require failures
• Implement real-time alerting for requests containing common LFI patterns
• Review WordPress audit logs for unusual theme-related activity
• Monitor outbound connections from the web server that may indicate data exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-28947

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the MBStore theme to a patched version if available from snstheme
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the MBStore theme
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting the WordPress installation
• Review server access logs for any evidence of exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Organizations using the MBStore - Digital WooCommerce WordPress Theme should check for updates from snstheme. According to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report, versions through 2.3 are affected. Contact the theme vendor directly for information about security patches or updated versions.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules to filter path traversal patterns in all incoming requests
• Restrict PHP's open_basedir directive to limit file access to the WordPress installation directory
• Disable or remove the vulnerable theme components if they are not essential to site functionality
• Implement PHP allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen restrictions in php.ini to limit file inclusion capabilities

# PHP configuration hardening (add to php.ini)
open_basedir = /var/www/html/wordpress/
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off