CVE-2025-31051: Plant WordPress Theme Info Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2025-31051 Overview

CVE-2025-31051 is a Sensitive Data Exposure vulnerability discovered in the EngoTheme Plant - Gardening & Houseplants WordPress Theme. This vulnerability allows unauthorized attackers to retrieve embedded sensitive system information from affected WordPress installations. The flaw is classified under CWE-497 (Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere), indicating that the theme inadvertently exposes internal system data that should remain protected from external access.

Critical Impact

Attackers can remotely access sensitive system information without authentication, potentially revealing configuration details, internal paths, or other data that could facilitate further attacks against affected WordPress sites.

Affected Products

• EngoTheme Plant - Gardening & Houseplants WordPress Theme version 1.0.0 and earlier
• WordPress installations using the Plant theme

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-07 - CVE-2025-31051 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-31051

Vulnerability Analysis

This information disclosure vulnerability exists in the Plant WordPress theme developed by EngoTheme. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to extract sensitive system information that is embedded within the theme's code or exposed through accessible endpoints. Such exposure can reveal internal server configurations, file paths, version information, or other data that assists attackers in reconnaissance activities.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means that any WordPress site running the affected theme version could be targeted without requiring any special privileges or user interaction. While the vulnerability does not directly enable code execution or data modification, the confidentiality impact allows attackers to gather intelligence that may be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-31051 is improper handling of sensitive system information within the theme's codebase. The Plant theme fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to data that reveals internal system details. This typically occurs when debug information, configuration data, or internal file paths are inadvertently included in theme output or accessible through unprotected theme files and endpoints.

WordPress themes must carefully control what information is exposed to end users, particularly ensuring that development artifacts, error messages containing system paths, and internal configuration details are not accessible in production environments.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can remotely access a WordPress site running the vulnerable Plant theme and retrieve the exposed sensitive information through standard HTTP requests.

The exploitation process involves identifying WordPress installations using the Plant theme (version 1.0.0 or earlier), then accessing the vulnerable endpoint or file that exposes the sensitive system information. The retrieved data could include server paths, PHP configuration details, database prefixes, or other internal information valuable for planning subsequent attacks.

For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Analysis.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31051

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests targeting theme-specific files or endpoints in /wp-content/themes/plant/
• Web server logs showing repeated access attempts to theme configuration files
• Reconnaissance activity patterns indicating enumeration of WordPress theme files
• Access attempts to files that should not be publicly accessible

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web server access logs for requests to sensitive theme files and directories
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block information disclosure attempts
• Use WordPress security plugins that detect unauthorized access to theme files
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to identify unexpected theme modifications

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on WordPress installations to capture access attempts
• Configure alerts for unusual patterns of requests to theme directories
• Regularly audit WordPress theme files for exposed sensitive information
• Monitor for external reconnaissance activity targeting WordPress installations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31051

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit the Plant theme files for any exposed sensitive information and remove or restrict access accordingly
• Consider temporarily switching to an alternative WordPress theme until a patched version is available
• Implement WAF rules to block access to vulnerable theme endpoints
• Review web server logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts

Patch Information

As of the last update, users should check with EngoTheme for an updated version of the Plant - Gardening & Houseplants WordPress Theme that addresses this vulnerability. Monitor the Patchstack vulnerability database for updates on patch availability.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to the /wp-content/themes/plant/ directory using .htaccess rules or web server configuration
• Implement IP-based access controls if the WordPress admin functionality is only needed from specific locations
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules to block information disclosure attempts
• Remove the vulnerable theme entirely if it is not essential to site functionality

# Apache .htaccess configuration to restrict theme file access
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/themes/plant/">
    <FilesMatch "\.(php|inc|config)$">
        Order Deny,Allow
        Deny from all
        Allow from 127.0.0.1
    </FilesMatch>
</Directory>