CVE-2025-31633: Kiamo WordPress Theme LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-31633 Overview

CVE-2025-31633 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Kiamo - Responsive Business Service WordPress Theme developed by Gavias. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem.

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). While the CWE classification references Remote File Inclusion, the actual exploitation vector enables PHP Local File Inclusion, which can lead to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, and potentially remote code execution when chained with other vulnerabilities.

Critical Impact

Attackers can read sensitive server files, access WordPress configuration data including database credentials, and potentially escalate to remote code execution through log poisoning or file upload chain attacks.

Affected Products

• Kiamo - Responsive Business Service WordPress Theme versions up to and including 1.3.3
• WordPress installations using vulnerable Kiamo theme versions
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-05-23 - CVE-2025-31633 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-31633

Vulnerability Analysis

This Local File Inclusion vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-controlled parameters that are passed to PHP's file inclusion functions (include, include_once, require, or require_once). The Kiamo WordPress theme fails to properly validate or sanitize filename inputs before using them in these statements, allowing attackers to manipulate the file path and include arbitrary local files from the server.

The vulnerability requires network access to exploit but involves high attack complexity, meaning successful exploitation may require specific conditions or additional knowledge about the target system. Despite this complexity, the potential impact is severe across all three security dimensions—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—as attackers can read sensitive files, potentially modify system behavior, and disrupt services.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in the theme's failure to implement proper input validation and path sanitization for user-supplied parameters. Specifically, the vulnerable code accepts filename or path parameters from user input and directly incorporates them into PHP include/require statements without:

• Validating against an allowlist of permitted files
• Sanitizing directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../)
• Restricting the inclusion path to a specific directory
• Implementing proper basename extraction or path canonicalization

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences. Typical exploitation involves manipulating URL parameters or form inputs to traverse directories and include sensitive files such as:

• /etc/passwd - System user information
• wp-config.php - WordPress database credentials and authentication keys
• .htaccess - Server configuration files
• Log files - For log poisoning attacks leading to code execution

The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, though the high attack complexity suggests that successful exploitation may require specific server configurations or environmental conditions.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-31633

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing directory traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ..%252f) targeting the Kiamo theme endpoints
• Access log entries showing attempts to include system files such as /etc/passwd or wp-config.php
• Error logs containing PHP inclusion failures or path-related warnings from theme files
• Unexpected file access patterns in WordPress theme directories

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in requests targeting WordPress themes
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing encoded or plain-text directory traversal sequences
• Deploy intrusion detection system (IDS) signatures for LFI attack patterns
• Enable PHP error logging and monitor for include/require statement failures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for HTTP requests containing common LFI payloads targeting the Kiamo theme
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress configuration files
• Set up log aggregation and analysis for pattern detection across multiple attack attempts
• Monitor for unusual PHP process behavior including attempts to read files outside web directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-31633

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Kiamo WordPress theme to the latest patched version immediately
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling or removing the theme
• Review web server access logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attacks as an interim measure
• Audit any exposed sensitive files that may have been accessed

Patch Information

Users should consult the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability database for the latest patch information and updates from the theme developer. Ensure you are running a version newer than 1.3.3 once a security update becomes available.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules configured to block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests
• Implement server-level restrictions using open_basedir PHP configuration to limit file access to the WordPress directory
• Use .htaccess rules to block requests containing suspicious patterns targeting theme files
• Consider using a WordPress security plugin that provides virtual patching capabilities
• Restrict direct access to theme PHP files where possible through web server configuration

# Example .htaccess configuration to block common LFI patterns
# Add to WordPress root or theme directory

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
# Block requests containing path traversal sequences
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\.%2f|%2e%2e) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>

# PHP configuration (php.ini or .user.ini)
# Restrict file operations to WordPress directory
# open_basedir = /var/www/html/wordpress/