CVE-2025-32286: Butcher Theme LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-32286 Overview

CVE-2025-32286 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the ApusTheme Butcher WordPress theme. The flaw stems from improper control of filenames passed to PHP include or require statements [CWE-98]. Attackers can manipulate file path parameters to load arbitrary PHP files from the server, leading to code execution and information disclosure. The vulnerability affects all Butcher theme versions up to and including 2.40. The issue is exploitable over the network without authentication, though attack complexity is rated high.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can include local PHP files, potentially executing arbitrary code and compromising the underlying WordPress site.

Affected Products

ApusTheme Butcher WordPress theme versions through 2.40
WordPress installations using the Butcher theme
Sites built on the vulnerable theme codebase

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-23 - CVE CVE-2025-32286 published to NVD
2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-32286

Vulnerability Analysis

The Butcher theme contains a PHP file inclusion flaw classified under [CWE-98]. User-supplied input flows into a PHP include or require statement without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can supply path values that resolve to arbitrary files within the server's filesystem. When included, these files are interpreted as PHP, producing remote code execution against the WordPress host.

The attack surface is network-reachable, requires no authentication, and needs no user interaction. The high attack complexity reflects environmental conditions such as path filtering or PHP configuration that must be navigated. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the WordPress instance.

Root Cause

The root cause is unsafe handling of filename parameters consumed by PHP include directives. The theme accepts an externally controlled value and passes it into a dynamic include path. Lack of allowlist validation and missing path normalization permits attackers to traverse the filesystem or reference attacker-uploaded content as PHP source.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable endpoint exposed by the Butcher theme. The request includes a manipulated parameter that the theme passes into a PHP include statement. The PHP interpreter loads and executes the targeted file. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability advisory for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-32286

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Butcher theme endpoints containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f.
Web server access logs showing parameters referencing sensitive paths such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or PHP wrappers like php://filter.
Unexpected PHP processes spawning shell commands or outbound network connections following theme requests.
Newly created or modified PHP files within the WordPress uploads directory.

Detection Strategies

Inspect web access logs for query parameters consumed by Butcher theme files that contain path separators or null bytes.
Deploy WordPress-aware web application firewall (WAF) rules that block path traversal patterns targeting theme endpoints.
Monitor PHP error logs for include or require warnings referencing unexpected file paths.
Compare theme file integrity against a known-good baseline to detect tampering.

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on PHP file modifications within /wp-content/themes/butcher/ and /wp-content/uploads/.
Track sudden spikes in 200-status responses for theme PHP files with abnormal query strings.
Forward web server and PHP-FPM logs to a centralized logging platform for correlation and retention.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-32286

Immediate Actions Required

Identify all WordPress sites running the ApusTheme Butcher theme version 2.40 or earlier.
Apply the vendor patch as soon as a fixed version is released, or remove the theme if no patch is available.
Restrict access to the WordPress administrative interface and theme directories using network controls.
Audit web server and PHP logs for prior exploitation attempts dating back to before the CVE publication date.

Patch Information

No fixed version is identified in the available CVE record. Site administrators should monitor the Patchstack advisory for the Butcher theme and the vendor changelog for an updated release that addresses CWE-98.

Workarounds

Configure a WAF rule to block requests containing path traversal sequences or PHP stream wrappers targeting Butcher theme endpoints.
Set the PHP open_basedir directive to restrict include and require operations to the WordPress installation directory.
Disable PHP allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen to limit remote inclusion risk.
Replace the Butcher theme with a maintained alternative if vendor support is unavailable.

bash

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