CVE-2025-39466: Qodeinteractive Dor Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-39466 Overview

CVE-2025-39466 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Dør WordPress theme developed by Mikado-Themes (Qodeinteractive). This 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. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this flaw remotely without any user interaction to read sensitive configuration files, access credentials, or potentially achieve remote code execution through log poisoning or other LFI-to-RCE techniques.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability over the network to read sensitive files, potentially leading to full system compromise through credential theft or code execution.

Affected Products

• Qodeinteractive Dør WordPress Theme versions through 2.4
• WordPress installations using the affected Dør theme
• Sites utilizing qodeinteractive:dor component

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-11-06 - CVE-2025-39466 published to NVD
• 2026-01-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-39466

Vulnerability Analysis

This Local File Inclusion vulnerability exists due to improper control of filename parameters used in PHP include or require statements within the Dør theme. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters to traverse the directory structure and include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem. This can lead to exposure of sensitive data including WordPress configuration files (wp-config.php), system files (/etc/passwd), application logs, and other confidential information stored on the server.

The exploitation does not require authentication or any privileges, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing WordPress sites. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability remotely over the network with low complexity, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The vulnerability originates from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-controlled parameters that are passed to PHP file inclusion functions. The Dør theme fails to properly validate and restrict the filenames that can be included, allowing path traversal sequences (such as ../) to access files outside the intended directory scope. This represents a classic CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program) weakness.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences in vulnerable parameters to include local files from the server. Common exploitation targets include:

• WordPress configuration files containing database credentials
• System password files and configuration
• Application log files that may contain sensitive data
• PHP session files for session hijacking

In some scenarios, attackers may chain this LFI vulnerability with other techniques such as log poisoning (injecting PHP code into log files and then including them) to achieve remote code execution.

The vulnerability mechanism involves manipulating file path parameters to traverse directories using sequences like ../ to access sensitive files outside the intended directory. When the PHP application processes these malicious paths without proper sanitization, it includes arbitrary local files, exposing their contents to the attacker. For detailed technical analysis, see the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Notice.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-39466

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, ..%252f) targeting theme parameters
• Access log entries showing requests to theme files with unusual file path parameters
• Unexpected file access patterns in PHP error logs or application logs
• Evidence of sensitive file content in server responses (e.g., wp-config.php contents, /etc/passwd)

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web server access logs for path traversal patterns in requests to /wp-content/themes/dor/ endpoints
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block LFI attack patterns
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on file inclusion attack signatures
• Review PHP error logs for file inclusion attempts targeting unexpected paths

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for WordPress and the web server to capture detailed request information
• Set up real-time alerting for suspicious file access patterns in security monitoring tools
• Regularly audit theme file access permissions and monitor for unauthorized file reads
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress configuration files

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-39466

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable or remove the Dør theme immediately if a patched version is not available
• Review server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Audit any sensitive files that may have been accessed through this vulnerability
• Consider rotating credentials stored in wp-config.php as a precaution

Patch Information

Check for updates from Qodeinteractive for the Dør theme that address this vulnerability. Monitor the Patchstack vulnerability database for patch availability and update instructions. As of the last CVE update, versions through 2.4 remain affected.

Workarounds

• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block path traversal and LFI attack patterns
• Restrict PHP open_basedir directive to limit file access scope
• Apply strict file permissions to sensitive configuration files
• Use Patchstack or similar WordPress security plugins for virtual patching

# Configuration example - Restrict PHP open_basedir in .htaccess or php.ini
# Add to php.ini or pool configuration:
php_admin_value[open_basedir] = /var/www/html/wordpress:/tmp

# Or in Apache .htaccess:
php_value open_basedir "/var/www/html/wordpress:/tmp"

# Nginx configuration to block common LFI patterns:
location ~* \.(php|inc)$ {
    if ($args ~* "(\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f)") {
        return 403;
    }
}