CVE-2025-30831: Themify Event Post LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-30831 Overview

CVE-2025-30831 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the Themify Event Post WordPress plugin developed by themifyme. The flaw stems from improper control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements, classified as [CWE-98]. Attackers with low-privilege access can manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary local PHP files on the server. The vulnerability affects all versions of Themify Event Post from initial release through version 1.3.2. Successful exploitation can lead to sensitive information disclosure, server-side code execution, and full site compromise.

Critical Impact
An authenticated attacker can include arbitrary local files through the plugin, potentially leading to remote code execution and full WordPress site takeover.

Affected Products

Themify Event Post plugin (themify-event-post) versions through 1.3.2
WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin enabled
Any hosting environment running affected plugin versions

Discovery Timeline

2025-03-27 - CVE-2025-30831 published to NVD
2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30831

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Themify Event Post plugin's handling of file path parameters passed to PHP include or require functions. The plugin fails to sanitize or validate user-controlled input before incorporating it into file inclusion statements. This allows attackers to traverse the file system and include arbitrary PHP files accessible to the web server process.

The issue is categorized under [CWE-98] (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). While the CWE title references PHP Remote File Inclusion, the practical exploitation vector here is Local File Inclusion. Attackers can read sensitive configuration files such as wp-config.php, access log files containing injected PHP payloads, or include uploaded files to achieve code execution.

The EPSS data indicates a measurable likelihood of exploitation activity. The exploitation complexity is rated high, and the attacker requires low privileges, but no user interaction is needed.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation on a filename parameter consumed by a PHP include or require statement within the plugin. The plugin does not enforce an allowlist of permitted files, does not strip directory traversal sequences such as ../, and does not constrain the inclusion to a safe base directory.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based. An authenticated attacker with low privileges sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable plugin endpoint, supplying a manipulated file path parameter. The PHP interpreter then loads and executes the referenced local file. By chaining the LFI with log poisoning, session file inclusion, or upload functionality, the attacker can pivot to arbitrary PHP code execution. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30831

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Themify Event Post plugin endpoints containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or URL-encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f
Web server access logs showing parameter values referencing sensitive files including wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or /proc/self/environ
Unexpected PHP execution originating from temporary directories, log files, or upload paths
New or modified PHP files in the WordPress installation that do not correspond to legitimate plugin updates

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server and WordPress access logs for suspicious query parameters targeting plugin pages with file path values
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to flag path traversal patterns and PHP wrapper schemes such as php://filter
Run file integrity monitoring across the WordPress document root to identify unauthorized file modifications
Correlate authentication events with subsequent file inclusion request patterns to detect post-login exploitation

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor PHP error logs for warnings about failed include or require operations referencing unexpected paths
Alert on outbound network connections from the PHP-FPM or web server process to untrusted hosts
Track plugin version inventory across managed WordPress sites and flag installations running Themify Event Post 1.3.2 or earlier
Review user role assignments and reduce the number of accounts with content contribution privileges

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30831

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites running the Themify Event Post plugin and confirm the installed version
Disable or remove the plugin until a patched release is verified and applied
Rotate WordPress administrator credentials, database passwords, and any secrets stored in wp-config.php if exploitation is suspected
Audit user accounts for unauthorized privilege changes and remove any unknown administrative users

Patch Information

No fixed version is listed in the available advisory data. The vulnerability affects Themify Event Post through version 1.3.2. Monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the Themify vendor site for an official security release.

Workarounds

Deactivate and uninstall the Themify Event Post plugin until a vendor patch is released
Apply WAF rules that block directory traversal sequences and PHP stream wrapper schemes on plugin endpoints
Restrict the PHP open_basedir directive to limit file inclusion to the WordPress installation directory
Set allow_url_include to Off and allow_url_fopen to Off in php.ini to reduce inclusion attack surface

bash

# Configuration example
# php.ini hardening
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"

# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate themify-event-post
wp plugin delete themify-event-post