CVE-2025-28991: Evon WordPress Theme LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-28991 Overview

CVE-2025-28991 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the snstheme Evon WordPress theme (snsevon). The vulnerability stems from Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server through manipulated input parameters.

This issue affects Evon theme versions from n/a through 3.4. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can read sensitive server files, potentially access configuration files containing database credentials, and in certain configurations, achieve remote code execution through log poisoning or other LFI-to-RCE techniques.

Critical Impact

PHP Local File Inclusion vulnerability allows attackers to read sensitive files on the server, potentially exposing configuration data, credentials, and enabling further exploitation through techniques like log poisoning for remote code execution.

Affected Products

• snstheme Evon WordPress Theme (snsevon) versions through 3.4
• WordPress installations using the affected Evon theme
• Web servers hosting vulnerable WordPress sites with Evon theme installed

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-17 - CVE-2025-28991 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-28991

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-98: Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program. The Evon WordPress theme fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in PHP include or require statements. This allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in PHP applications are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged for information disclosure of sensitive server files such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or application logs. When combined with other attack vectors like log poisoning, LFI can escalate to remote code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Evon theme's PHP code. The theme accepts user-controlled input that is subsequently used in include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() PHP functions without proper path validation or allowlist restrictions.

This allows attackers to use directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../) to navigate outside the intended directory and include arbitrary files accessible to the web server process.

Attack Vector

The attack vector involves manipulating HTTP parameters or other user-controllable inputs that are passed to PHP include functions within the Evon theme. Attackers craft malicious requests containing path traversal sequences to include local files.

Common exploitation scenarios include:

1. Reading the WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php) to obtain database credentials
2. Accessing /etc/passwd to enumerate system users
3. Reading web server access or error logs for log poisoning attacks
4. Including PHP session files to hijack user sessions

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Security Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-28991

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or ..%252f targeting theme files
• Access log entries showing attempts to include system files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php
• Multiple requests with varying depth of traversal sequences to enumerate valid file paths
• Error log entries indicating failed file inclusion attempts with unusual paths

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Implement file integrity monitoring on WordPress installations to detect unauthorized access or modifications
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on patterns consistent with LFI exploitation attempts
• Monitor web server access logs for suspicious requests targeting the Evon theme with unusual parameters

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the web server to capture full request URIs and parameters
• Set up automated alerting for file access attempts outside the WordPress installation directory
• Monitor PHP error logs for include/require errors indicating exploitation attempts
• Implement baseline behavioral analysis to detect anomalous request patterns to WordPress themes

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-28991

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the snstheme Evon (snsevon) WordPress theme to a patched version immediately if one is available
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily deactivating and removing the Evon theme
• Review web server logs for indicators of prior exploitation attempts
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attacks targeting the theme
• Restrict file system permissions to limit accessible files from the web server context

Patch Information

Organizations using the Evon WordPress theme should check for updates from snstheme. Refer to the Patchstack Security Vulnerability Report for the latest patch status and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules blocking path traversal sequences in request parameters
• Use .htaccess or web server configuration to restrict direct access to PHP files within the theme directory
• Apply open_basedir PHP configuration to restrict file inclusion to the WordPress directory
• Consider using a WordPress security plugin that provides real-time protection against file inclusion attacks
• Temporarily switch to a different WordPress theme until a patch is available

# Example .htaccess rules to restrict direct PHP access
<FilesMatch "\.php$">
    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all
</FilesMatch>

# Allow only specific required PHP files
<FilesMatch "(functions|index)\.php$">
    Allow from all
</FilesMatch>